According to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, in the last year more than 30,000 cases of prostate cancer have been detected, being the most detected tumor among men in our country.
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How is prostate cancer detected?
Early diagnosis is fundamental and can be decisive in the evolution, prognosis and quality of life of those men who suffer from it.
Mainly two initial tests are performed, although neither is completely specific:
- Digital rectal examination: the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the patient’s rectum and is thus able to feel if there is anything abnormal in the prostate.
- PSA test: this is an analysis of the prostate antigen in the blood. There may be more of this substance in men with the pathology.
Once any of these tests have been performed, it is advisable to perform a prostate biopsy to confirm the initial diagnosis:
- Biopsy: this is the usual technique, where an ultrasound probe is introduced into the rectum and, with the help of ultrasound, small fragments are taken from different areas of the prostate. As it is a simple mapping, with non-biopsied areas, the number of false negatives is up to 30%.
- MRI Fusion Technique: this multi-parametric prostate MRI technique has been developed in recent years. It is a great advance that offers a higher resolution than ultrasound, obtaining small samples with the biopsy to accurately determine whether the prostatic growth is benign or not.
Advantages of the MRI Fusion Technique
- Cancer detection level of more than 90%.
- Fewer infections.
- Greater capacity to access more complicated areas.
- Thanks to the precision it offers, it allows minimally invasive procedures to be performed with greater accuracy.
- Lower risk of side effects, such as erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence.
For more information about the technique, contact a specialist in Urology.