True targeting-derived prostate biopsy: HistoScanning™ remained inadequate despite advanced technical efforts

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Histoscanning™ in prostate cancer diagnostics

CONTEXT

The value of Histoscanning™ (HS) in prostate cancer (PCa) imaging is much debated, although it has been used in clinical practice for more than 10 years now.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the data on HS from various PCa diagnostic perspectives to determine its potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic search using 2 databases (Medline and Scopus) on the query "Histoscan*". The primary endpoint was HS accuracy. The secondary endpoints were: correlation of lesion volume by HS and histology, ability of HS to predict extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion.

RESULTS

HS improved cancer detection rate "per core", OR = 16.37 (95% CI 13.2; 20.3), p < 0.0001, I² = 98% and "per patient", OR = 1.83 (95% CI 1.51; 2.21), p < 0.0001, I² = 95%. The pooled accuracy was markedly low: sensitivity - 0.2 (95% CI 0.19-0.21), specificity - 0.12 (0.11-0.13), AUC 0.12. 8 of 10 studiers showed no additional value for HS. The pooled accuracy with histology after RP was relatively better, yet still very low: sensitivity - 0.56 (95% CI 0.5-0.63), specificity - 0.23 (0.18-0.28), AUC 0.4. 9 of 12 studies did not show any benefit of HS.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis does not see the incremental value in comparing prostate Histoscanning with conventional TRUS in prostate cancer screening and targeted biopsy. HS proved to be slightly more accurate in predicting extracapsular extension on RP, but the available data does not allow us to draw any conclusions on its effectiveness in practice. Histoscanning is a modification of ultrasound for prostate cancer visualization. The available data suggest its low accuracy in screening and detecting of prostate cancer.

Advanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) can be challenging due to the limited performance of current diagnostic tests, including PSA, digital rectal examination and transrectal conventional US. Multiparametric MRI has improved PCa diagnosis and is recommended prior to biopsy; however, mp-MRI does miss a substantial number of PCa. Advanced US modalities include transrectal prostate elastography and contrast-enhanced US, as well as improved B-mode, micro-US and micro-Doppler techniques. These techniques can be combined to define a novel US approach, multiparametric US (mp-US). Mp-US improves PCa diagnosis but is not sufficiently accurate to obviate the utility of mp-MRI. Mp-US using advanced techniques and mp-MRI provide complementary information which will become even more important in the era of focal therapy, where precise identification of PCa location is needed.