Ultrasound diagnostic tool could improve non-invasive treatment of
prostate cancer
17 October 2007 HistoScanning, a novel processing technology for
ultrasonography developed by Belgian company Advanced Medical Diagnostic,
shows high accuracy in the characterisation and localisation of prostate
cancer foci. This could improve the treatment and monitoring of prostate
cancer and help avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
HistoScanning is a diagnosis support tool designed to detect, visualise
and characterise cancers in solid organs. It is used in conjunction with
specific commercially available ultrasound systems capable of acquiring and
transferring so called volumetric radio frequency (RF) data. The proprietary
tissue characterisation algorithms can either be applied to discrete regions
of interest or the entire scanned tissue volume. Suspicious areas are
highlighted in HistoScanning’s 3D image viewer.
In study reported in the British Journal of Urology International
(BJUI), HistoScanning of the prostate was performed on 29 men scheduled to
undergo radical prostatectomy. The results were subsequently compared to the
corresponding detailed histology. The study showed that HistoScanning
accurately measured the diameter of the largest tumour (r=0.95, p<0.0001)
and in all cases correctly attributed the presence of multiple foci, the
laterality of the disease and the involvement of the prostate capsula.
Although more extensive trials are needed to fully validate its role in
routine clinical practice, experts involved in the study believe that
HistoScanning has the potential to address important challenges in the
diagnosis, staging, treatment and monitoring of men with suspected prostate
cancer. Mr Mark Emberton of the Division of Surgery and Interventional
Science at the University College London and co-author explained: “Today 75%
of all biopsies are negative and therefore provide no useful diagnostic
information. Due to its geometric and spatial accuracy, HistoScanning shows
great potential for directing biopsies and focal treatment to the largest
tumour bulk and hence improve procedure efficiency.”
He continued: “The detection and visualisation of multiple foci
throughout the prostate and capsula may enhance the staging of lesions and
optimise treatment selection.” Dr. Johan Braeckman, Head of Unit at the
Urology Department of the University Hospital Brussels and principal
investigator for the study sees two further important uses: “HistoScanning
may help reassure men with elevated PSA that they don’t have clinically
relevant prostate cancer.”
He further noted: “Men with less aggressive prostate cancers are
increasingly offered active surveillance in order to postpone or avoid
radical treatment that is associated with the risk of erectile dysfunction
and incontinence. HistoScanning may actually facilitate such monitoring and
reduce the need for painful and sometimes toxic repeat biopsies.” Braeckman
concluded: “It seems that in addition to removing diagnostic uncertainty and
patient anxiety, HistoScanning has a realistic potential to save costs in
healthcare provision.” To top
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