MRI suspicious lesions in patients under active surveillance

Do systematic biopsies still add value?

Authors

  • Ziv Savin Sourasky medical Center, Tel Aviv
  • Reuben Ben-David Icahn School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
  • Avishay Shem-Tov Dlugy Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Natasha Oppenheim Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Ron Marom Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Yotam Veredgorn Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Haim Herzberg Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Snir Dekalo Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Gal Keren-Paz Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Roy Mano Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Ofer Yossepowitch Department of Urology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9254

Keywords:

Active Surveillance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, prostate cancer;, Targeted biopsy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Active surveillance (AS) requires regular monitoring to detect disease progression. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and targeted biopsies are commonly used to identify clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) in AS patients, yet their diagnostic value remains unclear among this population.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent mpMRI followed by combined prostate biopsies between 2017 and 2022. Patients were categorized into AS and non-AS groups. We compared the diagnostic yield of mpMRI suspicious Prostate Imaging-Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) 3-5 lesions using comparisons of PI-RADS score distribution and detection rates of csPC from targeted biopsies between the groups. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between AS category and outcomes. csPC detection rates of targeted and combined biopsies were also assessed.

RESULTS: The study consisted of 600 patients, 158 in the AS group and 442 in the non-AS group. PI-RADS score distribution and the number of suspicious lesions were similar between AS and non-AS groups. csPC detection rates from targeted biopsies were not different between AS and non-AS patients (32% vs. 30%, p=0.68), and AS was also not associated with the rates of csPC for each PI-RADS score. The addition of systematic biopsies did not increase csPC detection in AS patients (36% vs. 32%, p=0.47).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that mpMRI suspicious PI-RADS 3-5 lesions are reliable for csPC diagnosis during AS, and that targeted biopsies alone may be sufficient for its detection; however, further prospective research is needed to validate these results and optimize biopsy strategies within AS protocols.

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Published

2025-11-25

How to Cite

Savin, Z., Ben-David, R., Shem-Tov Dlugy, A., Oppenheim, N., Marom, R., Veredgorn, Y., … Yossepowitch, O. (2025). MRI suspicious lesions in patients under active surveillance: Do systematic biopsies still add value?. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 20(3), E93–7. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9254

Issue

Section

Original Research