Imaging advancements show potential to reduce prostate cancer biopsies

Recent medical research highlights advancements and ongoing challenges in the use of imaging technology to detect prostate cancer and guide biopsies.

A study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine indicates that combining PET/MRI with MRI-based scoring can accurately stratify prostate cancer risk. This combined approach achieved 87% accuracy in detecting clinically significant cancer, outperforming MRI alone (75%) and PET alone (81%). Researchers found the technique could potentially avoid unnecessary invasive biopsies in 57% of patients, reducing risks such as infection, bleeding, and pain.

In the United States, the use of MRI before a first prostate biopsy has increased significantly, rising from 14% in 2017 to 64% in the first half of 2026. Despite this trend, a gap remains in clinical practice, as approximately one-third of men still undergo biopsies without a prior scan. Researchers noted that issues regarding access and insurance coverage contribute to this disparity in care.