Lesional volume in the prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer

While MRI has significantly advanced risk stratification in prostate cancer, PIRADS scoring alone is still insufficient to solely determine which patients do not require biopsy. Beyond PIRADS scoring, data regarding lesional volume and number can easily be extracted. This study aims to investigate whether the novel parameter 'Lesional PSAD' is a better predictive biomarker for clinically significant prostate cancer than conventional PSAD.

A retrospective analysis of 433 patients who underwent MRI Prostate followed by MRI-US fusion trans-perineal targeted and systematic biopsy was performed. Prostate and lesional volumes were calculated using the planimetry technique using MRI files. All PIRADS 3-5 lesions were considered significant. Lesional PSAD was calculated as: [Formula: see text] Statistical analysis with Mann-Whitney U and receiver operating curves was performed for prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Median PSA at biopsy was 8.5 (6.1-11.64, ng/ml), with a prostate volume of 38.2 (29.2 -54.19, cc), and total lesional volume of 1.49cm² (0.65-2.77). Higher conventional PSAD was associated with higher rates of csPCa (0.173 vs 0.282, p < 0.01). Total lesional volume was found to be significantly higher in csPCa cases (1.205 vs. 1.980, p < 0.001). Lesional PSAD was also found to be significantly higher in the csPCa cohort (LPSAD 0.191 vs 0.561, p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed better discrimination for csPCa with lesional PSAD compared to conventional PSAD (AUC 0.741 vs. 0.733). Subgroup analysis also favoured lesional PSAD over conventional PSAD in patient under 60 years (AUC 0.728 vs. 0.704).

Integrating lesional volume with conventional PSAD marginally increases predictive accuracy for csPCa, more so in early-onset prostate cancer, potentially aiding in decision-making for biopsy in high-risk patients.