“It just makes sense to me”: Patient experiences with prostate MRI during prostate cancer active surveillance.

Abstract

334 Background: Although prostate MRI is commonly used in the diagnosis, staging and active surveillance of prostate cancer, little is known about patient perspectives on MRI imaging. Methods: We performed a qualitative descriptive study consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews of patients with low and intermediate risk prostate cancer managed with active surveillance. Interviews focused on experiences with prostate MRI and MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy during active surveillance monitoring. We purposively sampled patients who received prostate MRI as part of their clinical care, over-sampling Black and Latino men, and conducted interviews until thematic saturation. We performed conventional content analysis to analyze data. Results: The mean sample (n=20) age was 68 years (range 51-79). Fourteen (70%) participants identified as White, 5(25%) as Black, and 2(10%) as Hispanic/Latino. At diagnosis, 17 (85%) had a Gleason grade group 1, and 3 (15%) had a grade group 2 tumor. Overall, participants viewed prostate MRI as a valuable tool that accurately localizes and monitors prostate cancer over time. Prostate MRI was seen as central to active surveillance monitoring. We identified five thematic categories: (1) the experiential aspects of undergoing an MRI scan; (2) the experience of visualizing one’s own prostate and prostate cancer; (3) adequacy of provider explanations of MRI results; (4) confidence in prostate MRI in decision-making; and (5) the role of prostate MRI in longitudinal follow-up during active surveillance, including an interest using MRI to modify the timing of, or replace, prostate biopsy. Conclusions: These findings reveal that patients highly value prostate MRI as a tool that enhances the confidence in the initial diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. This work can inform future studies to optimize the patient experience, education and counseling during active surveillance for prostate cancer.