PROSTATE MRI
How Prostate MRI Improves Early Detection
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men aside from skin cancer, but with early diagnosis and treatment, it’s also one of the most curable, with 99% of patients surviving after five years and 93% after ten years. MRI plays a crucial role in achieving these promising outcomes.
When PSA levels remain elevated despite negative ultrasound and biopsy results, patients typically face a six-month wait before a second biopsy. Prostate MRI can help close this critical gap. Unlike ultrasound, MRI provides complete visualization of the pelvis, allowing doctors to determine if cancer is contained within the prostate or has spread to nearby organs, bones, or lymph nodes. Specialized software analyzes enhancement patterns within the prostate, producing color-coded images that help physicians confidently identify and locate tumors.
3T MRI PROSTATE SCREENING
The 3 Tesla (3T) MRI offers a non-invasive method designed to find small cancer cells in hard to reach places like your prostate. Using the 3T MRI nearly doubles the number of aggressive tumors that are caught. 3T MRI is so good at pinpointing the exact location of cancerous cells, your urologist will most likely have all the information he or she needs without requiring multiple biopsies.
Patient Testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor may recommend a prostate MRI if you have elevated PSA levels, an abnormal digital rectal exam, a previous negative biopsy with persistently high PSA, or if they need to determine whether cancer has spread beyond the prostate. It’s also used to guide targeted biopsies and monitor known prostate cancer.
3T (3 Tesla) MRI uses a stronger magnetic field than standard MRI machines, providing higher resolution images. This advanced technology nearly doubles the detection rate of aggressive tumors and can pinpoint the exact location of cancerous cells, often providing your urologist with enough information without requiring multiple biopsies.
In some cases, yes. If your MRI shows no suspicious areas, your doctor may decide to monitor you rather than proceed with a biopsy. When a biopsy is necessary, MRI can guide a targeted biopsy to the exact location of concern, making the procedure more accurate and reducing the need for repeat biopsies.
While ultrasound is useful for measuring prostate volume and guiding biopsies, MRI provides complete visualization of the entire pelvis. MRI can detect smaller tumors, determine if cancer has spread to nearby organs, bones, or lymph nodes, and uses specialized software to analyze tissue patterns that help physicians more confidently identify cancerous areas.
No, prostate MRI is a non-invasive imaging exam. You’ll lie still on the exam table while images are taken. Some facilities use an endorectal coil (a small device placed in the rectum), but many modern 3T MRI scanners can produce excellent images without one. Check with your imaging center about their specific protocol.