New imaging test helps diagnose prostate disease

The prostate is a small gland found only in men, shaped and the size of a chestnut. It is located in front of and below the bladder, surrounding the original part of the urethra.

“Its role is to produce a fluid that mixes with the semen and ensures the vitality of the spermatozoa, thus aiding in reproduction and fertilization. It also produces an important enzyme, prostate specific antigen (PSA), which helps liquefy the semen,” explains Mr. Dimitrios Kaymenakis, Radiologist, Director of the Medical Imaging Department at Metropolitan General.
During their lifetime men will experience:
• 1 in 2 prostatitis symptoms
• 1 in 3 symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia
• 1 in 6 prostate cancer.

In particular, prostate cancer is worldwide the 2nd most common type of cancer diagnosed in men. Its multiparametric MRI is indicated for the evaluation of the extent and extraprostatic extension of known cancer found in the prostate after biopsy and for the detection of foci of suspected clinically significant neoplasia of the organ without a previous biopsy, most commonly due to an increase in PSA.
However, the test also serves to evaluate its inflammation (prostatitis) as well as its complications (abscess formation) in order to determine the appropriate treatment. It also serves to evaluate benign prostatic hyperplasia by allowing accurate measurement of the dimensions and volume of the gland and detailed visualization of its anatomy.

Multiparametric MRI of the prostate is a painless, non-invasive imaging method, without radiation exposure. In recent research it has been shown that it can reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies by up to 25%.

In case a biopsy is necessary, it increases the accuracy by guiding the urologist to take a sample from the suspicious areas.
Another indication of the test is the detection of local recurrence after prostatectomy.

The examination does not require any special preparation from the examinee and takes about 10 minutes. Caution is needed in the presence of a pacemaker, cochlear implants and metallic materials in the body. In these cases, the department should be informed when making the appointment for the examination.

“Multiparametric MRI of the prostate is performed on the Metropolitan General’s state-of-the-art 3Tesla MRI scanner. The images are evaluated in special diagnostic processing stations by the department’s experienced radiologists.
In conclusion, it is a highly innovative examination that offers valuable information to the urologist to evaluate the pathology of the prostate and especially its cancer and to make the appropriate decisions for its treatment”, concludes Mr. Kaymenakis.

Written by:

Mr. Dimitrios Kaymenakis, Radiologist, Director of the Medical Imaging Department at Metropolitan General

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