Category: PSA Screening

Today’s multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is better than ever. When a patient’s PSA blood test raises suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa), mpMRI determines if a targeted biopsy is needed. It does this by making significant lesions visible prior to an invasive biopsy. Significant means Gleason 3+4 or greater, also characterized as Grade Group 2 or greater. keep reading

A new paper on PSA screening for prostate cancer (PCa) begins by pointing out that screening reduces PCa deaths; however, PSA followed by immediate biopsy increases cases of low-risk patients who have overly aggressive treatments that leave them with impaired urinary or sexual function—up to 12 years or more![i] The authors propose more refined screening keep reading

The use of 2 parameters of imaging sequences is called biparametric MRI (bpMRI) – and new research shows it could make MRI widely available as a better screening tool than the PSA test which can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Now there’s an exciting boost to the speed and accuracy of bpMRI: Deep Learning (DL), a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI). keep reading

Once a popular prostate cancer treatment, brachytherapy has seen a sharp decline—and new research may reveal why. A study found that half of patients experienced cancer recurrence, challenging its long-term effectiveness. With evolving treatment options, it’s crucial to weigh the risks and benefits before choosing a path... keep reading

The pages of history, biology, true crime and comic books are filled with tales of trickery using disguise. Such camouflage has its uses as a way to cloak one’s true identity or hide in plain sight. The Boston Tea Party was staged by colonists decked out as “Mohawk” Indians. Chameleons command nanocrystals in their skin keep reading

Are you confused about whether annual PSA screening is right for you? One can hardly be blamed, as guidelines have been zigzagging since 2012. Currently, shared decision-making between men and their medical caregivers is a compromise recommendation. Still, ongoing debate shows up in published literature backed up by data. Those in favor of annual testing keep reading

“Out of all the stars labeled Box Office Poison by the Independent Theater Owners Association in 1938, Katharine Hepburn is one who maintains a high degree of name recognition today…” This is the opening sentence of a January 2023 article in Hollywood Revue, explaining how the Great Kate was dealt a blow to her reputation—a keep reading

A recent Renal&Urology news story heralds, “The risk of dying from prostate cancer is low among older men receiving routine screening, investigators report.”[i](In this case, older refers to men ages 70-74.) At first glance, that sounds like encouragement to continue annual PSA screening as you age—an idea that conflicts with the 2018 U.S. Preventive Services keep reading

Does PSA screening reduce PCa mortality, or doesn’t it? We know that PSA is not specific for cancer, since many prostate conditions can cause a rise in PSA blood levels. We also know that an elevated PSA can lead to a conventional TRUS-guided biopsy, and that such biopsies can either miss prostate cancer or... keep reading

If you were a kid in the 1960s, you may recall listening to the exciting audio countdown for NASA’s first rocket launches: “Liftoff at T minus 10 seconds. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, zero…and we have liftoff!” Since then, zero has been dropped from the countdown. In fact, it has keep reading