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University urologists have extensive training and experience with fusion biopsies, having collectively completed over 1,000 procedures to date.<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to detecting the presence of prostate cancer, the gold standard is to perform a biopsy, which involves inserting a needle into the prostate and collecting tissue for analysis.<\/p>\n With the traditional approach, a urologist performs a \u201ctransrectal ultrasound guided biopsy\u201d to take tissue samples. Samples are taken in a grid-like fashion over the surface of the prostate. The procedure is generally safe, effective at detecting cancer, and well tolerated by patients.<\/p>\n However, since 2016, UNC Urology has been an early adopter in North Carolina of an advanced technique called \u201cMRI-ultrasound fusion-guided prostate biopsy,\u201d in which the images from a specialized MRI are \u201cfused\u201d with the ultrasound used to guide the prostate biopsy. This enhances doctors\u2019 ability to target areas of suspicion and find cancerous cells.<\/p>\n Patients undergoing the procedure have an MRI taken of their prostate in advance, and that image is overlaid with real-time ultrasound images during the biopsy. This allows the physician to use both images \u2013 overlaid as one combined image \u2013 to better determine from which specific areas to collect tissues, vs. taking samples in a standardized, grid-like pattern.<\/p>\n \u201cUsing the fusion biopsy technique gives us a much better ability to identify and sample areas of suspicion,\u201d says Dr. Ray Tan<\/a>, Director of Urologic Oncology, and Associate Professor of Urology at UNC.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can see what\u2019s there, and navigate the process more effectively so there is less chance of missing cancer and possibly under-grading the cancer,\u201d he explains. \u201cBy better understanding the severity of the cancer, physicians can treat it in the most appropriate and effective way possible.\u201d<\/p>\n UNC Urology also implements a quality assurance program with its radiologists to review cases, has a specialized protocol and 3T magnet as recommended by national professional organizations, and is part of a larger quality collaborative to continually improve the accuracy of fusion biopsies.<\/p>\n Dr. Tan adds that the procedure is especially helpful for situations in which definitive diagnosis has proven difficult, such as for men who have had negative previous biopsies, but whose PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen \u2013 a potential marker for cancer) continues to rise.<\/p>\n
\nFusion Biopsies: Seeing the Entire Picture<\/h2>\n
Expertise and Quality Control Lead to Enhanced Cancer Detection<\/h2>\n