Audit of cancer yields after prostate MRI using both the PI-RADS version 2 and Likert scoring systems.

AIM: To audit diagnostic yields of the updated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed prostate cancer diagnostic service according to Prostate Imaging - Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2 and Likert assessments, comparing outcomes of the two scoring systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive men with suspected cancer undergoing prostate MRI were included. Biopsy rates and histological diagnostic yields of all and International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group (ISUP GG) ≥2 cancers according to PI-RADS and Likert assessment categories were documented and outcomes compared. RESULTS: Of 326 men (91% biopsy naive), 177 (54%) underwent transrectal (n=119) or transperineal (n=58) ultrasound-guided biopsies; 92% with negative MRI avoided immediate biopsies following multidisciplinary team (MDT) review. All cancer and ISUP GG ≥ 2 cancer-detection rates increased with increasing suspicion scores. Prospective paired PI-RADS and Likert scoring was undertaken in 323/326 studies, with 87% concordance rate. High concordance between PI-RADS and Likert scores was observed in negative MRI (99%) and score 5 (96%). High discordance was demonstrated in the PI-RADS 4 group (32% with PI-RADS 4 categories up-risked to Likert 5). All cancer and ISUP GG ≥ 2 cancer detection rates for MRI score ≥3 were 78% and 63%, and for MRI score ≥4 were 75% and 61%, respectively for both PI-RADS and Likert scoring systems. CONCLUSIONS: Most men with negative prostate MRI can avoid immediate biopsies following MDT review. Performance of PI-RADS and Likert scoring systems in clinically significant cancer detection after positive MRI is equivalent. Discordance between PI-RADS and Likert systems seems mostly confined to PI-RADS 4 categories.

PROState Pathway Embedded Comparative Trial: The IP3-PROSPECT study.

INTRODUCTION: The traditional double blind RCT is the 'gold standard' trial design. For a variety of reasons, these designs often fail to accrue enough participants to conclude. This is particularly challenging in localized prostate cancer. The cohort multiple randomised controlled trial (cmRCT) trial design may represent an alternative approach to delivering robust comparative data in prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IP3-PROSPECT is a cmRCT designed to test multiple prostate cancer interventions from eligible men in one cohort. Key to the design is two points of consent. First, at point of consent one, men referred for prostate cancer investigations are invited to join the cohort. They may then be randomly invited at a later date to consider an intervention at point of consent two. In the pilot phase we will test the acceptability and feasibility of developing the cohort. RESULTS: Acceptability and feasibility of the study will be measured by a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The primary outcome measure is the rate of consent to inclusion to the IP3-PROSPECT cohort. Secondary outcome measures include the completeness of data collection at sites and return rates of patient questionnaires. We will also interview patients and healthcare professionals to explore their thoughts on the implementation, practicality and efficiency of IP3-PROSPECT. CONCLUSION: The IP3-PROSPECT study will evaluate the cmRCT design in prostate cancer. Initially we will pilot the design, assessing for acceptability and feasibility. The cmRCT is an innovative design that offers potential for building a modern comparative evidence base for prostate cancer.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of biparametric prostate MRI for prostate cancer in men at risk.

INTRODUCTION: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), the use of three multiple imaging sequences, typically T2-weighted, diffusion weighted (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) images, has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting significant cancer. Current guidance now recommends its use prior to biopsy. However, the impact of DCE is currently under debate regarding test accuracy. Biparametric MRI (bpMRI), using only T2 and DWI has been proposed as a viable alternative. We conducted a contemporary systematic review and meta-analysis to further examine the diagnostic performance of bpMRI in the diagnosis of any and clinically significant prostate cancer. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature from 01/01/2017 to 06/07/2019 was performed by two independent reviewers using predefined search criteria. The index test was biparametric MRI and the reference standard whole-mount prostatectomy or prostate biopsy. Quality of included studies was assessed by the QUADAS-2 tool. Statistical analysis included pooled diagnostic performance (sensitivity; specificity; AUC), meta-regression of possible covariates and head-to-head comparisons of bpMRI and mpMRI where both were performed in the same study. RESULTS: Forty-four articles were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity for any cancer detection was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.80-0.88), specificity 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68-0.81) for bpMRI. The summary ROC curve yielded a high AUC value (AUC = 0.86). The pooled sensitivity for clinically significant prostate cancer was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78-0.93), specificity 0.72 (95% CI, 0.56-0.84) and the AUC value was 0.87. Meta-regression analysis revealed no difference in the pooled diagnostic estimates between bpMRI and mpMRI. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis on contemporary studies shows that bpMRI offers comparable test accuracies to mpMRI in detecting prostate cancer. These data are broadly supportive of the bpMRI approach but heterogeneity does not allow definitive recommendations to be made. There is a need for prospective multicentre studies of bpMRI in biopsy naïve men.

Review article: MRI-targeted biopsies for prostate cancer diagnosis and management.

PURPOSE: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy has been the traditional biopsy route in the detection of prostate cancer. However, due to concern regarding overdetection of low-risk cancer and missed clinically significant cancers as well as risk of sepsis, alternative approaches have been explored. Transperineal template biopsy-sampling the gland every 5 m to 10 mm-reduces error by sampling the whole prostate but increases risk of detecting clinically insignificant cancers as well as conferring risks of side effects such as urinary retention and bleeding. METHODS: There are various targeted biopsy techniques, each with different cancer detection rates, costs and learning curves. Current research focuses on refining biopsy methodology to maximize detection of significant cancers, whilst minimising invasiveness and complications. In this article, the up-to-date research data about MRI-targeted prostate biopsy were reviewed to show its utilization in prostate cancer management and diagnosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Prostate multiparametric MRI has become an effective tool in the detection of significant cancers and an essential component of the prostate cancer diagnostic pathway incorporating MRI-guided biopsy decisions.

Diagnostic yields in patients with suspected prostate cancer undergoing MRI as the first-line investigation in routine practice.

AIM: To document cancer yields of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed biopsies in men with suspected prostate cancer referred to secondary care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with suspected cancer undergoing multiparametric prostate MRI as the first-line investigation were included in the present study. Systematic transrectal prostate biopsies with/without cognitive targeted biopsies were performed. Diagnostic yields of International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) ≥2 cancers by the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) category were recorded. Impacts of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density on biopsy results and yields of non-targeted biopsies in MRI non-suspicious prostate sextants assessed. RESULTS: Of 262 men (90.5% biopsy naive), 86 (33%) MRI examinations were negative (PI-RADS 1-2) and 176 (67%) positive (PI-RADS 3: 8%; PI-RADS 4: 21%; PI-RADS 5: 38%). Two hundred and thirteen of 262 patients underwent a biopsy. ISUP ≥2 cancer detection rates were 8% (5/61) for PI-RADS 1-2, 18% (3/17) for PI-RADS 3, 49% (22/45) for PI-RADS 4, and 80% (72/90) for PI-RADS 5. Proportions of ISUP ≥2 increased with higher PSA densities in positive patients (%ISUP ≥2 for PSA density groups <0.12, 0.12 to <0.15 and ≥ 0.15 was 0%, 0%, 25% for PI-RADS 3, 21%, 33%, 68% for PI-RADS 4 and 40%, 83%, 89% for PI-RADS 5 respectively). ISUP ≥2 cancers were twice as likely in tumour adjacent sextants (52% versus 24%), without upgrading of gland level histology from insignificant to clinically significant prostate cancer by the sampling of normal-appearing tumour non-adjacent sextants. CONCLUSIONS: One third of men can avoid biopsy after negative MRI. Cancer detection rates increase with PSA density values within positive MRI suspicion categories. Sampling normal-appearing tumour non-adjacent sextants may be unnecessary for whole-gland therapy.

Stage T3a renal cell carcinoma: staging accuracy of CT for sinus fat, perinephric fat or renal vein invasion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy of CT for staging T3a (TNM 2009) renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Unenhanced and nephrographic phase CT studies of 117 patients (male:female = 82:35; age range, 21-86 years) with T1-T3a RCC were independently reviewed by 2 readers. The presence of sinus or perinephric fat, or renal vein invasion and tumour characteristics were noted. RESULTS: Median (range) tumour size was 5.5 (0.9-19.0) cm; and 46 (39%), 16 (14%) and 55 (47%) tumours were pT1, pT2 and pT3a RCC, respectively. The sensitivity/specificity for sinus fat, perinephric fat and renal vein invasion were 71/79%, 83/76% and 59/93% (Reader 1) and 88/71%, 68/72% and 69/91% (Reader 2) with κ = 0.41, 0.43 and 0.61, respectively. Sinus fat invasion was seen in 47/55 (85%) cases with T3a RCC vs 16/55 (29%) and 33/55 (60%) for perinephric fat and renal vein invasion. Tumour necrosis, irregularity of tumour edge and direct tumour contact with perirenal fascia or sinus fat increased the odds of local invasion [odds ratio (OR), 2.5-3.7; p < 0.05; κ = 0.42-0.61]. Stage T3a tumours were centrally located (OR, 3.9; p = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: Stage T3a RCC was identified with a sensitivity of 59-88% and specificity of 71-93% (κ = 0.41-0.61). Sinus fat invasion was the most common invasive feature. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Centrally situated renal tumours with an irregular tumour edge, inseparable from sinus structures or the perirenal fascia and CT features of tumour necrosis should alert the reader to the possibility of Stage T3a RCC (OR, 2.5-3.9).

Bladder cancer: evaluation of staging accuracy using dynamic MRI.

AIM: To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in staging bladder cancer and to assess whether dynamic gadolinium-enhanced sequences have any added benefit in staging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 22 month period, the MRI findings of 100 consecutive patients with histologically proven transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder were reviewed. The T stage was assessed independently on T2-weighted imaging alone and in combination with gadolinium-enhanced MRI. The final histological diagnosis was considered the reference standard. Statistical analysis was performed to ascertain stage-by-stage accuracy. Accuracy of MRI in differentiating superficial (≤ T1) from invasive (≥ T2) and in differentiating organ-confined (≤ T2) from non-organ-confined (≥ T3) disease was assessed. RESULTS: On a stage-by-stage basis, tumours were correctly staged using MRI in 63% of patients (observed agreement=0.63, weighted kappa=0.57). The sensitivity and specificity of MRI to differentiate between superficial (≤ T1) from invasive (≥ T2) disease was 78.2 and 93.3%. The observed agreement for this group was 85% (kappa=70%; p<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of MRI to differentiate between organ-confined (≤ T2) from non-organ confined (≥ T3) disease was 90.5 and 60%. The observed agreement for this group was 89% (kappa=30%; p<0.01). Gadolinium-enhanced images improved staging in only three patients. CONCLUSION: In the present study MRI was found to be a moderately accurate tool in assessing the T stage. Agreement on a stage-by-stage basis was good. Agreement for differentiating between non-invasive versus muscle-invasive disease was good and that for organ-confined versus non-organ-confined disease was fair. Routine use of gadolinium-enhanced images is not routinely required.

Intravenous urography for diagnosing synchronous upper-tract tumours in patients with newly diagnosed bladder carcinoma can be restricted to patients with high-risk superficial disease.

AIM: To determine the incidence of synchronous upper-tract transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) in patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer and to evaluate the need for performing intravenous urography (IVU) in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaging data on 330 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with TCC of the bladder over a 2-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Only 233 out of the 330 patients had IVU at presentation. The IVU results were recorded as normal, abnormal, or equivocal. The follow-up radiological or urological investigations in the patients who had an equivocal IVU were reviewed. Clinical follow-up data on all 330 patients were also recorded. RESULTS: Only 233 out of the 330 patients had an IVU at presentation. Four of these (1.7%) patients were found to have synchronous upper-tract tumours. Twenty-two patients were reported to have equivocal findings on IVU. Nine of these patients had follow-up imaging [computed tomography (CT)=5, IVU=4], which were reported as normal. Retrograde urography was performed in two patients, which was normal. The remaining 11 patients did not have any evaluation of the upper tracts despite the equivocal findings on IVU, but routine clinical follow-up did not reveal any significant disease. Three patients with high-risk superficial disease developed upper-tract tumours that were detected on follow-up. CONCLUSION: IVU for diagnosing synchronous upper-tract tumours in patients with newly diagnosed bladder carcinoma can be restricted to patients with high-risk superficial disease.