Pilot study suggest role of MRI in primary screening for prostate cancer

In a pilot study recently published in The Journal of Urology researchers at the University of Toronto have investigated the utility of MRI for early screening of prostate cancer in the general population.

A group of men 50 to 75 years of age and without previous signs of prostate cancer were examined with MRI and PSA-tests and results were verified by biopsies. In comparison with PSA-test, MRI was a better predictor of prostate cancer, including more aggressive forms of the disease.

This is the first time MRI is tested as a primary method for early screening for prostate cancer. Further prospective studies are required to verify these results in larger cohorts.