Evaluation of Targeted Prostate Biopsies Under MRI: Tolerance and Contribution in the Therapeutic Decision - Exploratory Study

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in France and is the third most common cancer death in men.

Early detection is based on family and ethnic history, digital rectal examination and total PSA testing. It is done at age 50 for the general population but is restricted to men with an estimated survival of more than 10 years.

In case of clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, the diagnosis is based on the realization of prostate biopsies. Until recently, 12 so-called "systematic" (BS) biopsies were performed under ultrasound control, according to a standardized protocol, which allowed sampling of the entire prostate.

Since the latest recommendations of the French Association of Urology in 2020, an MRI is systematically indicated before performing biopsies. Indeed, MRI is a sensitive technique that will increase the suspicion of significant prostate cancer. An MRI is considered "positive" if at least one suspicious area with a PI-RADS score ≥ 3 is detected. In this case, the French Association of Urology recommends performing so-called targeted biopsies (BC) on these suspicious areas associated with the 12 SBs.

From a technical point of view, ultrasound is the reference examination for performing targeted biopsies on suspicious lesions detected on MRI, either by visual guidance (cognitive identification) or by image fusion techniques, MRI and ultrasound.