MRI has been increasingly used to guide biopsies, with some claiming more accurate imaging and targeting of suspicious tissue. For instance, MRI may help visualize tumors that are too small, or too far back in the prostateThe prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bla... Full Definition, for biopsyAn examination of tissue removed from the body to understand... Full Definition needles to reach.
Stand-alone MRI is not yet a standard diagnostic tool for prostate cancerCancer is a group of diseases where cells grow abnormally an... Full Definition, but there is hope that it may someday offer a replacement for biopsy and other invasive tests. Ask your doctor about how they use MRI as part of prostate cancer screening to see if there are options available to you.
Who is this test best for?
Current guidelines recommend MRI-Assisted Biopsy for men who have had a negative biopsy but who have a high risk of cancer and will benefit from a more targeted biopsy. This also may be used for men who are undergoing active surveillance as part of regular screening.
What to Expect
Your urologist will give you antibiotics to prevent infection. You may also receive an intravenous dye to help highlight certain tissue. During the procedure, the radiologist will insert a device into the rectum that contains a magnetic coil that allows the doctors to see MRI images of the prostate during the procedure. The doctors use these images to guide a device that contains a thin, hollow needle into the prostate, either through the rectum or perineum, the space between the scrotum and anus. The needle will take tiny samples from tissue that appears diseased. This procedure increases the chances that cancer will be found if it is there. It also reduces the number of samples of healthy tissue. A pathologist will mount the tissue samples on slides and examine them for signs of cancer.
Please note that people with metal implants in their bodies cannot get MRIs.
Who orders or performs the test?
What are common side effects?
Some people experience claustrophobia during an MRI. You may experience pain and discomfort in the area of the biopsy after the procedure. Blood may appear in urine or sperm. Infection may also occur.