Alternatives for MRI in Prostate Cancer Diagnostics—Review of Current Ultrasound-Based Techniques

Abstract

Simple SummaryProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common solid malignant tumor in men worldwide with various clinical manifestations. Due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of a clinically insignificant disease, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging is recommended for every patient before performing prostate biopsy. However, the diagnostic pathway currently has many limitations and is still far from ideal. Therefore, further alternatives need to be investigated. As the novel ultrasound-based techniques, such as shear wave elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound or high frequency micro-ultrasound are able to, overcome the limitations of magnetic resonance imaging presenting good performance in recent studies, we have summarized and compared the results of each technique in the detection of PCa. Furthermore, we analyzed the future perspectives for ultrasound modalities that may soon significantly improve their diagnostic value.The purpose of this review is to present the current role of ultrasound-based techniques in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer (PCa). With overdiagnosis and overtreatment of a clinically insignificant PCa over the past years, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) started to be recommended for every patient suspected of PCa before performing a biopsy. It enabled targeted sampling of the suspicious prostate regions, improving the accuracy of the traditional systematic biopsy. However, mpMRI is associated with high costs, relatively low availability, long and separate procedure, or exposure to the contrast agent. The novel ultrasound modalities, such as shear wave elastography (SWE), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), or high frequency micro-ultrasound (MicroUS), may be capable of maintaining the performance of mpMRI without its limitations. Moreover, the real-time lesion visualization during biopsy would significantly simplify the diagnostic process. Another value of these new techniques is the ability to enhance the performance of mpMRI by creating the image fusion of multiple modalities. Such models might be further analyzed by artificial intelligence to mark the regions of interest for investigators and help to decide about the biopsy indications. The dynamic development and promising results of new ultrasound-based techniques should encourage researchers to thoroughly study their utilization in prostate imaging.