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Updated: Jul 5, 2025

A Cognitive Fusion-guided Prostate Biopsy Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transrectal Ultrasound
Published on: March 21, 2025
Risk of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer after a Nonsuspicious Prostate MRI-A Comparison with the General
Juho Pylväläinen1,2, Jaakko Hoffström2, Anu Kenttämies1
1Department of Radiology, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Background:
We compare the risk of clinically significant (csPCa; ISUP Grade Group ≥ 2) and insignificant prostate cancer (isPCa; ISUP Grade Group 1) in men with a nonsuspicious prostate MRI (nMRI; PI-RADS ≤ 2) with the general population, and assess the value of PSA density (PSAD) in stratification.
Methods:
In this retrospective population-based cohort study we identified 1,682 50-79-year-old men, who underwent nMRI at HUS (2016-2019). We compared their age-standardized incidence rates (IR) of csPCa and the odds of isPCa to a local age- and sex-matched general population (n = 230,458) during a six-year follow-up. Comparisons were performed by calculating incidence rate ratios (IRR) and ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We repeated the comparison for the 920 men with nMRI and PSAD < 0.15 ng/mL/cm3.
Results:
Compared with the general population, the IR of csPCa was significantly higher after nMRI [1,852 vs. 552 per 100,000 person-years; IRR 3.4 (95% CI, 2.8-4.1)]. However, the IR was substantially lower if PSAD was low [778 per 100,000 person-years; IRR 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.0)]. ORs for isPCa were 2.4 (95% CI, 1.7-3.5) for all men with nMRI and 5.0 (95% CI, 2.8-9.1) if PSAD was low.
Conclusions:
Compared with the general population, the risk of csPCa is not negligible after nMRI. However, men with nMRI and PSAD <0.15 ng/mL/cm3 have worse harm-benefit balance than men in the general population.
Impact:
Prostate biopsies for men with nMRI should be reserved for cases indicated by additional risk stratification. See related In the Spotlight, p. 641.
Insights
Men with non-suspicious prostate MRI (nMRI) have a higher risk of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). However, low PSA density (PSAD) in these men may indicate a lower risk, warranting careful consideration for biopsies.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Prostate cancer risk stratification is crucial for appropriate patient management.
- Nonsuspicious prostate MRI (nMRI) findings (PI-RADS ≤ 2) require further evaluation to differentiate clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) from insignificant prostate cancer (isPCa).
- The role of PSA density (PSAD) in risk stratification for men with nMRI is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the risk of csPCa and isPCa in men with nMRI versus the general population.
- To assess the utility of PSAD in stratifying risk among men with nMRI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective population-based cohort study of 1,682 men aged 50-79 who underwent nMRI.
- Comparison of age-standardized incidence rates (IR) and odds ratios (OR) of csPCa and isPCa with a matched general population (n=230,458) over six years.
- Subgroup analysis for 920 men with nMRI and PSAD < 0.15 ng/mL/cm³.
Main Results:
- Men with nMRI showed a significantly higher IR of csPCa compared to the general population (IRR 3.4).
- The IR of csPCa was substantially lower in men with nMRI and low PSAD (IRR 1.4).
- Men with nMRI had higher odds of isPCa (OR 2.4), which increased significantly with low PSAD (OR 5.0).
Conclusions:
- The risk of csPCa is not negligible in men with nMRI.
- Low PSAD (< 0.15 ng/mL/cm³) in men with nMRI indicates a potentially worse harm-benefit balance, suggesting careful consideration for biopsies.
- Prostate biopsies for men with nMRI should be reserved for cases identified by additional risk stratification.
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