Quality Of Life

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men, and one in five cases will be diagnosed in 2017.

Urologist Darren Mack, MD, says precision matters in diagnosing and treating prostate conditions. “We now have MRI fusion, which incorporates MRI images into a real-time ultrasound to target areas of concern.”

Dr. Mack explains that his office is the first in the area to use this technology, and it can be helpful for men who are concerned about having elevated PSA results. “It gives us more insight into the progression of the disease, leads to more informed treatment decision making, and preserving the quality of life,” he says.

Watchful Waiting

The MRI fusion technology is advantageous for men who are keeping an eye on their condition. The combination of the MRI and ultrasound provides detail that ultrasound alone cannot detect. “If we find anything, it is usually on a microscopic level,” he says. “And this equipment can pick up tumors on the front of the prostate, which we can’t feel during a rectal exam.”

Targeted Treatment

For patients needing treatment, Dr. Mack says this new way of testing allows him to target the affected area. The most established form of targeted therapy is brachytherapy. “We place radioactive ‘seeds’ in the prostate to treat only the diseased area. Instead of guessing where the ‘seeds’ go, this technology provides images that give us a map on where to place them,” he says.

Dr. Mack says not all prostate cancers need to be treated, and decisions should be based on guidance from newer diagnostic modalities, such as the MRI fusion. “We follow American Urological Association guidelines, and we choose the treatment that is evidence-based and patient focused. By treating only when needed, we can prevent side effects in the long run,” he says.