Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Use of MRI-ultrasound Fusion to Achieve Targeted Prostate Biopsy
Published on: April 9, 2019
[MRI-guided minimally invasive treatment of prostate cancer]
Fabian Tollens1, Niklas Westhoff2, Jost von Hardenberg2
1Klinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Deutschland.
Clinical/Methodological Issue:
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and local staging of primary prostate cancer.
Standard Radiological Methods:
Image-guided biopsy techniques such as MRI-ultrasound fusion not only allow guidance for targeted tissue sampling of index lesions for diagnostic confirmation, but also improve the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.
Methodological Innovations:
Minimally invasive, focal therapies of localized prostate cancer complement the treatment spectrum, especially for low- and intermediate-risk patients.
Performance:
In patients of low and intermediate risk, MR-guided, minimally invasive therapies could enable local tumor control, improved functional outcomes and possible subsequent therapy escalation. Further study results related to multimodal approaches and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) by machine and deep learning algorithms will help to leverage the full potential of focal therapies for prostate cancer in the upcoming era of precision medicine.
Achievements:
Completion of ongoing randomized trials comparing each minimally invasive therapy approach with established whole-gland procedures is needed before minimally invasive therapies can be implemented into existing treatment guidelines.
Practical Recommendations:
This review article highlights minimally invasive therapies of prostate cancer and the key role of mpMRI for planning and conducting these therapies.
