Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Prostate Cancer Screening

Timothy J. Wilt, Philipp Dahm
2018 JAMA Network Open  
Boesen and colleagues 1 assess a novel diagnostic triage strategy for prostate cancer detection using biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI). This strategy could improve value by reducing morbidity and mortality in prostate cancer, decreasing unnecessary and harmful prostate biopsies, curtailing overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and lowering health care costs-the Holy Grail of prostate cancer care. Their approach may mitigate physical, psychological, and financial harms of prostate
more » ... r detection and treatment strategies that rely on widespread prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, blind systemic biopsies for men suspected of having prostate cancer based on PSA results and/or abnormal digital rectal examination results, and treatment of most identified cancers. Higher-value strategies are needed for several reasons. Prostate cancer is common, potentially deadly, and costly. However, most screen-detected prostate cancers, even those defined as clinically
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0220 fatcat:x22j6lhnrzdvtje43fjbpp27cq