MRI-Guided Prostate Interventions

The objective of this study is to discuss the use of MRI-guided and MRI-directed prostate biopsy techniques, describe how interventional MRI focal therapies are used for the treatment of prostate cancer, and predict future directions in prostate interventional MRI. The prospect of establishing a center for prostate imaging, diagnosis, and treatment is also discussed.

Low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer can be safely treated with MRI-compatible devices and techniques such as biopsy, cryoablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, or focal laser ablation performed from a transrectal or transperineal approach. Although the long-term effectiveness of focal therapy for prostate cancer is unknown, the effect on urinary or sexual function is extremely low. These procedures are attracting an increasing number of men who view focal therapies as a better alternative to the uncertainty of no therapy and the more radical whole-gland surgical and radiation therapies with their higher complication rates.