What is MRI with Transrectal Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Prostate cancer has a new standard of care in MRI-guided fusion biopsy with transrectal ultrasound. While a prostate biopsy has been the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer, it has only been working if cancer cells are identified in the sample tissue. But in some cases, such as when the tumor occurs at the top surface of the prostate or other unusual locations, a biopsy may not give a correct diagnosis. For instance, the standard TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) guided biopsy in which tissue samples are collected from the prostate in a systematic pattern gives a negative result with tumors located in unusual areas of the prostate. About 15-20 percent of tumor locations can be missed by the biopsy needle.

What makes the MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy more definitive?

The MRI-ultrasound fusion approach is an improvement on the traditional 12-core TRUS, which involved taking biopsies from twelve prostate areas where the cancer is considered more likely to occur. With the TRUS biopsy, about 70 percent of men who have a negative biopsy result are not essentially free of the cancer. The MRI-ultrasound fusion technology blends the superior imaging capability of the high-definition multi-parametric (mp) MRI with real-time ultrasound imaging. There is better visualization of the suspicious areas of the prostate where the cancer may occur that may not be visible on ultrasound alone. The fusion-guided biopsy detects almost twice as many prostate cancers in all stages as the standard TRUS biopsy.

The ability of MRI-ultrasound fusion-guided biopsy to create a three-dimensional (3D) map of the prostate ensures that doctors are able to see the targeted areas of the prostate better and perform more precise biopsies. The technology uses a machine known as UroNav developed by Invivo, which is supplied with sophisticated software to produce super-detailed MRI images and fuse them with the ultrasound images generated by a transrectal probe administered on the patient in an outpatient setting. The resulting images enable the examining physician to direct biopsy needles with pinpoint accuracy and to easily access any lesions or suspicious areas revealed by MRI. The technology allows the urologist to hit the target spot more accurately and improves cancer detection rate. In fact, it is primarily used for men who have an ongoing suspicion of prostate cancer, such as those with consistently elevated PSA, but whose TRUS biopsy results are repeatedly negative.

Fewer biopsies, more accurate detection

The fusion-guided biopsy is a very targeted approach in which biopsies are performed only in highly suspicious areas of the prostate appearing in the MRI image. As a result, significantly fewer biopsies are done with the MRI-ultrasound fusion than with the traditional TRUS technique, minimizing the adverse effects that often accompany repeat biopsies. Multiple prostate biopsies can lead to complications such as bleeding, infection, urinary retention problems, sepsis or even death.

In spite of fewer biopsies, the MRI fusion approach increases the rate of detection of aggressive prostate cancer. The extensive MRI images obtained before the biopsy helps highlight both high-risk and intermediate-risk cancers often missed by traditional TRUS biopsy. With MRI-ultrasound fusion, the likelihood of detecting cancer increases as the grade of the tumor increases. The use of MRI fusion biopsy helps to avoid metastatic disease by finding cancer before it spreads to other areas of the body.

Improved cancer differentiation

Through MRI fusion, doctors are able to more accurately differentiate cancers that require treatment from the ones that should undergo watchful waiting (active surveillance). Fusion technology is able to show higher-risk cancers and does not highlight the insignificant low-grade tumors, making it less likely for urologic oncologists to over-treat indolent and low-grade cancers. A number of prostate cancers are low-grade, non-aggressive and do not cause problems at all and treating them through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery can impair the quality of life or even cause death. MRI fusion effectively saves patients from the adverse effects of treating low-grade tumors. Fusion technology eliminates up to 50 percent of prostate cancer treatments that are unnecessarily administered on low-grade cancers.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we have adopted the MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy and changed the way we screen, evaluate and diagnose prostate cancer. It has become our standard for detecting prostate cancer and we believe in the next few years it will be the gold standard for detecting the cancer. We are proud that it offers a higher detection rate, superior accuracy and reduces the rate of repeat biopsies — making our practice one of the best places for detection and monitoring of the cancer. It helps us deliver the best treatment outcomes for our patients.

If you think you are at high risk of prostate cancer or already have started experiencing some symptoms, let us show you how the precision of our high-definition MRI fusion machine, the expertise of our skilled physicians in MRI fusion biopsy and the know-how of our radiologists proficient in multi-parametric MRI imaging can help you. For more information on the treatment and diagnosis of prostate cancer, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

How to Properly Treat Kidney Stones

Kidney stone treatment varies from one case to another, depending on stone size, cause and type. While most kidney stones can pass in urine spontaneously, some do not. Medical intervention is usually necessary to remove difficult stones or break them down into smaller pieces that can pass freely. Treatment also may be necessary for relieving the pain and discomfort.

Small, less-bothersome stones

Invasive treatment is not necessary for small kidney stones with minimal symptoms. In fact, by simply drinking plenty of fluid, as much as 2-3 liters a day, these stones are flushed from the urinary system. So unless your urologist says otherwise, you need to drink lots of fluid — mostly water — until your urine is clear or nearly clear.

Since passing even the smallest stones can be accompanied by some discomfort, your doctor may recommend that you use pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, others). Your doctor may prescribe a medication to help you pass the stone faster and with minimal discomfort. For example, an alpha blocker can be given to relax ureter muscles and ensure that kidney stones pass quickly and painlessly.

Large or troublesome kidney stones

Larger stones may too big to pass spontaneously, can cause serious pain and discomfort or obstruction and are likely to lead to kidney damage, urinary tract infections or bleeding. Treatment options for such stones include:

1. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

This procedure utilizes sound waves to generate strong vibrations (shock waves), which help break up larger kidney stones into smaller pieces that can more readily pass through the ureters and be removed in urine. ESWL takes 45-60 minutes, but because it can cause mild-to-moderate pain, it’s performed under light anesthesia to minimize discomfort.

2. Ureteroscopy

For stones located in the ureter or kidney, a thin lighted tube (scope) equipped with a camera is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter. After the stone is found, special tools are used to snare or break it up into tiny pieces that can pass in urine. The procedure is undertaken under local or general anesthesia, but the urologist also places a stent (small tube) in the ureter to minimize swelling and promote healing.

3. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (tunnel surgery)

Very large kidney stones can be removed using a small incision made in the back of the patient — a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This surgery is ideal for stones that have grown too big to pass, are causing uncontrollable pain, obstruction, infection or damaging the kidneys. The procedure also is recommended in cases where ESWL is unsuccessful. The kidney stone is surgically removed using a small telescope and instruments inserted via the tiny incision in the patient’s back. It’s done under general anesthesia and the patient stays in hospital for 1-2 days to recover.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we see hundreds of patients with kidney stones every year and use some of the best approaches in stone treatment, including advanced imaging technology, dietary recommendations, robotic surgical procedures and medications, to diagnose, treat and prevent the condition. We have the latest shock-wave lithotripsy equipment onsite, which uses state-of-the-art 3D ultrasound technology to reduce radiation exposure. Our urologists and urologic surgeons collaborate with specialists in radiology, nephrology and nutrition to deliver the most comprehensive care possible to our patients. For more information on our services, visit the “Advanced-Urology-Institute” site.