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Some prostate cancers ‘can be diagnosed without invasive biopsy’, new study reveals<br>Men with suspected prostate cancer will be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed images of what is happening in the body

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Some prostate cancers can be diagnosed without the need for an invasive biopsy, according to a new study.<br>For some men, cancer can be detected through an MRI scan alone with a high degree of certainty, according to experts from University College London Hospitals (UCLH).<br>In many hospitals, men with suspected prostate cancer will be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed images of what is happening in the body. Depending on the images, doctors may also recommend a biopsy.

In other hospitals, those with suspected cancer will be referred straight for a biopsy – where a small needle is put into the prostate to take a tissue sample so it can be checked for cancer cells.<br>There are two different types of biopsy for prostate cancer, with needles inserted in different places depending on the type chosen.

Samples taken are then examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.<br>There are a number of advantages and disadvantages for having a biopsy, with the disadvantages including side effects; missed cancers and the detection of non-aggressive or slow growing cancers which may not need treatment.<br>open image in gallery

For some men, cancer can be detected through an MRI scan alone with a high degree of certainty, according to experts from University College London Hospitals (UCLH) (Alamy/PA)<br>But the new study found that some men may not need to have this procedure done and could have their cancer diagnosed by MRI alone.

The research looked at 880 men who attended UCLH’s one-stop clinic for suspected prostate cancer over a one-year period.

All of the men had a prostate MRI.<br>Four experienced radiologists looked at scan results combined with the patient’s age and their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score.<br>Some 251 were deemed likely to have a tumour and 217 of these went on to have a biopsy.<br>The radiologists examined each scan and were asked to say whether they were “99 per cent certain” there was a tumour, “90 per cent certain” or less than 90 per cent certain”.

Of the 69 patients deemed to be “99 per cent certain” they had a tumour via their MRI scan, all of them (100%) had cancer confirmed through biopsy.<br>Some 45 patients were scored as “90 per cent sure” they had a tumour.<br>Of these 41 underwent biopsy and 40 (98 per cent) had significant tumour.<br>open image in gallery

Experts said that reducing reliance on biopsy for a carefully selected group of patients could mean faster access to treatment and less discomfort (Alamy/PA)<br>Researchers said this indicates that certain men may not need to have invasive biopsies, and their cancers could be confirmed with a scan alone.<br>“There is a group of patients in whom prostate cancer is close to certain based on MRI findings,” the authors wrote in the European Journal of Radiology.<br>“In future this may enable treatment without the need for biopsy.”<br>Experts said that reducing reliance on biopsy for a carefully selected group of patients could mean faster access to treatment and less discomfort.<br>UCLH consultant radiologist Alex Kirkham said: “For a number of cancers, we already treat patients on the strength of imaging alone, without putting them through an invasive biopsy first.<br>“This study suggests prostate cancer could, in some cases, join that list.<br>“If we can confirm these findings in larger, multi-centre...