CONTRAST ENHANCED COLOUR DOPPLER TARGETED PROSTATE BIOPSY FOR PROSTATE CANCER DETECTION: RESULTS OF 2008 MEN

[What's new in 2008 in the field of basic and clinical research in prostate cancer?]

In 2008, prostate cancer was the subject of a large number of communications in international conferences. The most innovating and the most eventful studies that are likely to alter patient management and physician's daily practice were selected. The impact of prostate cancer screening and the interest of urine markers like PCA3 were evaluated. Active surveillance needs to be strongly evaluated and it is recommended to include patients in current stringent research protocol. The role of radical prostatectomy in the management of high-risk and/or locally advanced prostate cancer was discussed. Extended lymphadenectomy decreases the risk of biochemical recurrence significantly (50%). However, it remains a surgical and a technical challenge. Modalities of radiotherapy, hormontherapy and advantages of intermittent treatments were selected. Long-term androgen deprivation (3 years) affords a better oncologic efficacy compared to a limited 6-months treatment. It seems necessary to evaluate testosterone serum level as soon as there is a situation of hormone-resistant prostate cancer. An androgen deprivation therapy that leads to the lowest castration testosterone level is needed as this level is directly related to the rate of specific death.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and prostate cancer; a multicentre European research coordination project

CONTEXT

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a real-time imaging technique with the capability of visualizing perfusion patterns. Since tumour growth is associated with changes in vascularisation, this modality is under research for imaging of various tumour types. Studies have shown promising results for the diagnosis of prostate cancer for various imaging techniques; however, the exact value of each technique is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the detection, localisation, and follow-up of treatment for prostate cancer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

In the period 2002-2006, research in four European centres regarding CEUS of the prostate was coordinated in a combined program. This paper describes and combines the results of these studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Various techniques were developed and researched during the period of this program. Studies showed that prostate cancer could be visualized and localized in up to 78%. Visualization of the tumour enabled better detection; targeted biopsies lead to fewer biopsies per session without loss of detection rate. A combined approach offered the highest detection rate. CEUS could be used to visualize the effects of high-intensity focussed ultrasound and hormonal therapy for prostate cancer with success, and identified patients with an early relapse. Unfortunately, pretreatment evaluation could not identify the nonresponders beforehand.

CONCLUSIONS

This research project was a first step towards routine use of CEUS in the clinical detection and follow-up of prostate cancer; and new combined studies are initiated.