Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) has become a very useful tool in the management of low risk Prostate Cancer (PCa) patients eligible for Active Surveillance (AS). The aim of this systematic review was to critically review the latest literature concerning the role of mpMRI in this clinical setting, underlying current strengths and weakness.
A comprehensive literature research for English-language original and review articles was carried out using the National Center for Biotechnology Information PubMed database with the aim of identify studies on mpMRI for AS in low risk PCa patients. The following search terms were used: active surveillance, prostate cancer and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.
Data from 28 recent original studies and reviews were reviewed. We only considered studies on use of mpMRI in selecting AS patients and during AS follow-up, in order to solve two important questions: -Can mpMRI have a role in improving the detection of clinically significant disease, better selecting AS patients? -Can mpMRI identify the progression of disease and, consequently, be used during AS follow-up?
mpMRI is useful to better select the ideal candidates to AS and to monitor them during follow-up. However, despite many advantages, there are yet important limitations to detect all clinically significant PCa and to better define mpMRI-radiological progression during AS. Further larger prospective studies are needed to definitively solve these important problems.
Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry. 2018 Jan 04 [Epub ahead of print]
Francesco Cantiello, Stefano Manno, Antonio Cicione, Rocco Damiano
Department of Urology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro. Italy.