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AUA 2017

AUA 2017: Absence of learning curve impact may let MRI-TRUS fusion guided biopsy up for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Boston, MA (UroToday.com) Dr. Lista presented on the topic of an evaluating a learning curve for MRI-TRUS fusion guided biopsy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of urologist learning curve for multi-parametric MRI-TRUS fusion biopsies on the detection of the clinically significant prostate cancer. Using data from almost 300 patients who underwent both transperineal and transrectal targeted MRI-TRUS fusion biopsies they found that there was only a 4% (p=0.06) increase in cancer detection when they compared the time intervals of their study (beginning to end time periods). The overall cancer detection rate was 43%, with a sensitivity of 93% (95%CI 0.86-0.98) and specificity of 83% (95%CI 0.77-0.87). They found no significant learning curve existed for the detection of prostate cancer nor clinically significant prostate cancer.

With the introduction of new technology there is always a fear for early adopters there will be a steep learning curve. In accordance this study importantly evaluated if there is a learning curve for the detection of the clinically significant prostate cancer with MRI-TRUS fusion biopsies. With the study findings of no significant learning curve, the technology should be able to be more rapidly utilized. Patients should benefit from increased introduction in MRI-fusion biopsies offered.

Presented by Giuliana Lista , from Humantias University, Milano, Italy

Written By: Janet Baack Kukreja (@janetkukreja), MD, MPH, Urologic Oncology Fellow, Department of Urology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Ashish M. Kamat, MD, MBBS, FACS, Wayne B. Duddlesten Professor, Department of Urology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX

at the 2017 AUA Annual Meeting - May 12 - 16, 2017 – Boston, Massachusetts, USA