Importance of specific prostatic antigen to prostatic volume ratio in the selection of patients for ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate]

US-guided biopsy was performed in 94 patients with suspected lesions at transrectal US. Histology demonstrated carcinoma in 43 cases, benign hyperplasia in 44, and prostatitis in 7. In all cases the prostate specific antigen (PSA) was calculated, by means of US, together with prostatic volume (V). PSA was related to the corresponding gland volume, which resulted in PSA/V index. Subsequently, histology was correlated with both PSA value and PSA/V ratio. Our study showed PSA/V ratio to have higher sensitivity and specificity than absolute PSA value in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. The authors believe prostate US-guided biopsy to be: a) necessary when the suspected area has PSA/V ratio greater than 0.15, and especially when PSA/V greater than 0.30; b) not indicated when echostructural alterations are associated with PSA/V less than 0.15, because they are most frequently due to benign lesions. The combined use of PSA/V ratio and US is therefore suggested to select the patients in whom biopsy is to be performed.     

Local recurrence after radical prostatectomy: correlation of US features with prostatic fossa biopsy findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography (US) in the detection of local recurrence following radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy were evaluated at transrectal US and prostatic fossa biopsy. Location of suspected recurrence at transrectal US and clinical features, such as prostate-specific antigen levels and digital rectal examination findings, were correlated with biopsy results. RESULTS: Forty-one (41%) of 99 cases of local recurrence were detected. The percentage of sites of lesions identified at transrectal US and corresponding positive biopsy rates were as follows: the urethrovesical anastomotic area, 56% and 61%; bladder neck, 26% and 54%; retrovesical space, 4% and 100%; and more than one site, 14% and 71%. By comparing transrectal US and digital rectal examination, the sensitivities were 76% and 44% (P =.007), while specificities were 67% and 91% (P =.004), respectively. An increased positive biopsy rate with increasing prostate-specific antigen levels was noted (P =.04). CONCLUSION: Transrectal US is more sensitive but less specific than digital rectal examination in the detection of local recurrence. Biopsy findings in more than half of the suspected lesions at the urethrovesical anastomotic area and bladder neck were positive. Lesions in the retrovesical space, although less frequently encountered, had a high likelihood of representing cancer recurrence.     

Long-term prognostic value of dobutamine stress 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT: single-center experience with 8-year follow-up

PURPOSE: To determine the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed with a combined endorectal body phased-array coil for patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or suspicious free-to-total PSA ratios in whom prior transrectal ultrasonographically (US) guided biopsy findings were negative for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with PSA levels greater than 4 ng/mL or free-to-total PSA ratios lower than 15% but negative biopsy findings were examined with T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging at 1.5 T with a combined endorectal body phased-array coil. All patients underwent digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal US. Thirty-eight patients underwent repeat biopsy after MR imaging. The accuracy of MR imaging for detection of prostate cancer was assessed prospectively. Retrospectively, MR imaging findings were correlated with individual biopsy site findings. MR imaging and biopsy results were correlated by using a cross table to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV). Retrospective analysis results were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. A P value of less than.05 indicated significance (chi(2) test according to Pearson). RESULTS: At prospective analysis, MR imaging had a sensitivity of 83% and a PPV of 50% for detection of prostate cancer; these values were 33% and 67%, respectively, for DRE and 33% and 57%, respectively, for transrectal US. At retrospective site-by-site analysis, MR imaging results did not correlate significantly with individual biopsy site findings (P =.126); sensitivity was 65% and PPV was 12%. CONCLUSION: In this patient population, MR imaging has higher sensitivity for detection of prostate cancer than DRE or transrectal US.     

Prostatic biopsy directed with endorectal MR spectroscopic imaging findings in patients with elevated prostate specific antigen levels and prior negative biopsy findings: early experience

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography (US)-guided biopsy directed with magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging in patients with an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and negative findings at prior biopsy by using subsequent biopsy results as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The committee on human research approved this study, and written informed consent was obtained. MR imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging were performed in 42 men (age range, 45-75 years; average age, 63.3 years; median age, 65 years) with negative findings at two or more prostatic biopsies and at digital rectal examination. MR spectroscopic data were rated on a scale of 1 (benign) to 5 (malignant) on the basis of standardized metabolic criteria. Abnormal voxels were overlaid on the corresponding transverse transrectal US images and used to perform voxel-guided biopsy of the prostate. All patients subsequently received an extended-pattern biopsy scheme. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 42 patients demonstrated metabolic abnormalities that were suspicious for cancer (voxels with scores > or = 4). Eleven patients with negative MR spectroscopic imaging results also had negative biopsy findings. Cancer was detected in 17 (55%) of 31 men with positive MR spectroscopic imaging findings (voxels with scores > or = 4) with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 44%, positive predictive value of 55%, negative predictive value of 100%, and accuracy of 67%. In men with at least one spectroscopic voxel with a score of 5 (12 of 17 men), the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were 71%, 84%, 75%, 81%, and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Metabolic data from MR spectroscopic imaging can be transferred to transrectal US images and used to sample regions of cancer in men with rising PSA levels and negative findings at prior biopsy with good accuracy.     

社区中老年人群前列腺疾病筛查的价值

目的探讨联合应用经直肠超声(TRUS)、前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)和直肠指检(DRE)方法筛查前列腺癌的意义。方法 2010年1月—2012年3月,对来社区卫生中心就诊的325例45～80岁男性,联合应用TRUS、PSA及DRE方法,观察前列腺疾病的分布情况;三者均为阳性作为前列腺癌高风险者行前列腺穿刺活检。结果 325例中,前列腺增生、前列腺结石、前列腺囊肿及前列腺癌分别为256例(78.77%)、33例(10.16%)、31例(9.53%)和5例(1.54%)。前列腺增生和前列腺结石在不同年龄分布差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);与临床前列腺癌组比较,本组B期以下早期癌占80%,临床组B期以下早期癌只占26.47%,且多为偶发癌;转移癌的诊断率筛查组低于临床组,临床组低分化癌的比率高于筛查组(P均<0.05)。结论社区中老年男性体检中,进行以TRUS、PSA及DRE为主的筛查,是早期发现前列腺癌的最佳途径,对临床早期诊疗具有重要的指导意义。     

Predictors of prostate carcinoma: accuracy of gray-scale and color Doppler US and serum markers

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of detecting prostate cancer by using (a) gray-scale and color Doppler transrectal ultrasonography (US), (b) serum and excess prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and (c) targeted and sextant transrectal US-guided biopsy. The relationship between US-detected neovascularity and tumor biologic activity was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1999, 544 patients with elevated PSA levels and/or abnormal digital rectal examination underwent transrectal US-guided sextant biopsy and targeted biopsy of US abnormalities. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of gray-scale US, color Doppler US, targeted biopsy, and PSA and excess PSA were calculated. RESULTS: Gray-scale US depicted 78 (41.1%) of 190 cancers, whereas color Doppler US depicted 30 (15.8%) additional cancers. Targeted biopsy was used to detect 108 (56.8%) cancers, whereas sextant biopsy was used to detect 82 (43.2%) additional cancers. Although US-visible cancers had a higher Gleason grade than did cancers discovered at sextant biopsy (P <.05), 25 of the 66 cancers identified with sextant biopsy alone were Gleason grade 6 or higher. Color Doppler US-depicted hypervascularity correlated with biologically aggressive tumors. Excess PSA was normal in 58 (30.5%) cancers, with an accuracy of 67.3%, resulting in better prediction of prostate tumors than with serum PSA level alone. CONCLUSION: Gray-scale transrectal US, even coupled with color Doppler US, is inadequate for prostate carcinoma screening; therefore, targeted biopsy should always be accompanied by complete sextant biopsy sampling.     

Likelihood of prostate cancer based on prostate-specific antigen density by MRI: retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE: As a screening test for prostate cancer (PCA), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may induce unnecessary prostate biopsy in patients with PSA 4.1-10.0 ng/ml. PCA detection may be delayed in patients with PSA < or =4.0 ng/ml. MRI-based PSA density of the prostate (PSAD) and of the prostatic transitional zone (PSAT) could improve differentiation of PCA and benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total prostate and transitional zone volumes were planimetrically determined in axial, T2-weighted fast spin echo MR images of the prostate. Serum PSA concentration was measured with an automated standardized microparticle enzyme immune assay. PSAD and PSAT were calculated in 17 patients with clinically significant PCA and 42 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) (66 +/- 6 versus 64 +/- 8 years, p = 0.2410, t test) who had PSA levels < or =10.0 ng/ml. RESULTS: For differentiation of BPH and PCA, PSA alone above the optimal cutoff level of 4.2 ng/ml showed an odds ratio for PCA of 6.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-23.2). PSAD showed an odds ratio for PCA of 71.3 (95% CI, 11.8-430.9) above the optimal cutoff level of 0.07 ng/ml/cc. PSAT demonstrated an odds ratio for PCA of 320.0 (95% CI, 27.1-3781.4) above the optimal cutoff level of 0.15 ng/ml/cc. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PSA < or =10.0 ng/ml, MRI-based PSAD and PSAT appear to improve differentiation of prostate cancer and BPH and are feasible to reduce the frequency of unnecessary prostate biopsy.     

Invasion of the seminal vesicles by prostatic cancer: detection with transrectal sonography

Endorectal sonography provides a potential means of detecting seminal vesicle invasion by prostatic cancer that is too subtle for diagnosis by digital rectal examination. To assess this application of sonography, we examined 300 patients with transrectal sonography of the prostate and seminal vesicles followed by histologic examination of the seminal vesicles from core biopsies and/or prostatectomy specimens. Of the 38 patients with histologically proved seminal vesicle invasion by prostatic cancer, 35 (92%) had an abnormal appearance of the seminal vesicles on sonography. Of 167 patients with prostatic cancer without histologic evidence of seminal vesicle involvement, sonograms showed abnormal seminal vesicles in 42 (25%). In 95 patients with histologically normal prostates and seminal vesicles, sonograms showed abnormal seminal vesicles in 11 (12%). The sonographic findings correlating best with tumor invasion of the seminal vesicles were hyperechogenicity and a combination of two or more of the following abnormalities: cystic dilatation, asymmetry, enlargement, and anterior displacement. Our experience in these patients suggests that endorectal sonography can be useful in the detection of seminal vesicle involvement by prostatic cancer.     

Potential of ultrasonography and ultrasonography-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of local recurrence following radical prostatectomy

INTRODUTION: We investigated the diagnostic role of combined transrectal US (TRUS) and biopsy to detect recurrent cancer after radical prostatectomy, in patients with negative bone scintigraphy and elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March, 1997, to May, 1998, we examined 12 patients with persistently detectable serum PSA levels and negative bone scintigraphy. At the time of diagnosis, an average 36 months had elapsed since prostatectomy. Digital rectal examination (DRE) and disease stage at the time of surgery were also considered. Patients age ranged 47 to 83 years (mean: 65). All patients underwent TRUS with a 7.5 MHz biplane probe; biopsy was performed with a 16 G cutting needle. TRUS findings were considered suspicious if the scan showed any unusual hypoechoic tissue adjacent to the bladder neck, in retrotrigone or peri-retroanastomotic site. In these cases a transperineal US-guided biopsy was performed. RESULTS: The biopsy proved cancer in 10/12 cases (in 12 cases after two biopsies), showing a better diagnostic accuracy than DRE, which poorly distinguished postoperative changes from recurrent or residual cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The early detection of recurrences after radical prostatectomy in patients with negative bone scintigraphy is feasible when the above examinations are performed in the same order as described: PSA levels, if altered, indicate the patients to be submitted to TRUS. The latter may be falsely negative in some cases because small recurrences may exhibit no findings at US, and therefore US-guided biopsy of peri-retro-anastomotic regions should be always performed too. The recurrence must be confirmed at histology because histologic findings help choose adjuvant treatment and/or radical irradiation.     

前列腺特异性抗原密度在前列腺癌诊断中的价值

目的探讨前列腺特异性抗原密度(PSAD)对良性前列腺增生与前列腺癌的鉴别诊断价值。方法采集80名健康人、160例良性前列腺增生患者和60例前列腺癌患者的血清,用化学发光免疫法测定前列腺特异性抗原(PSA),腹部前列腺B超检查计算前列腺体积,计算前列腺特异性抗原密度。结果前列腺癌患者PSA和PSAD水平分别为(82.66±20.62)μg/L和(0.68±0.2),前列腺癌患者中PSA和PSAD水平明显高于前列腺增生患者。160例良性前列腺增生患者血清PSA水平为4~10μg/L,明显高于正常对照组,前列腺癌组中PSA>10μg/L和PSAD>0.2明显高于前列腺增生患者。血清PSA>10μg/L诊断前列腺癌的敏感性和特异性分别为50.0%和91.3%,PSAD诊断前列腺癌的敏感性和特异性为96.7%和85.0%。结论 PSAD是诊断前列腺癌更敏感、更有效的指标,在前列腺癌和良性前列腺增生中有鉴别意义。     

Transrectal US in evaluation of patients after radical prostatectomy. Part II. Transrectal US and biopsy findings in the presence of residual and early recurrent prostatic cancer.

The anatomic appearance of the prostatic fossa on transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) scans obtained after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for carcinoma was studied in 16 patients in whom local recurrence was suspected on the basis of rising serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels above 0.4 ng/mL, negative pelvic computed tomographic scans, and negative bone scans. Findings in samples obtained with ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy were compared with those in samples obtained with digitally guided biopsy (DGB); each patient was his own control. When the postoperative anatomic appearance on TRUS scans was compared with that in patients without suspected recurrence of cancer, no significant difference was seen. Needle biopsy was positive for carcinoma in eight patients (50%): US-guided biopsy, in seven patients; DGB, in five patients; and both US-guided biopsy and DGB, in four patients. US-guided biopsy has limited usefulness over DGB in patients with rising PSA levels after RRP, but use of both DGB and US-guided biopsy may maximize sensitivity. The main value of TRUS may be in accurate positioning of the biopsy needle about the vesicourethral anastomosis.     

Negative predictive value of multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection: Outcome of 5-year follow-up in men with negative findings on initial MRI studies

Objective

To assess the clinical negative predictive value (NPV) of multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) for prostate cancer in a 5-year follow-up.

Materials and methods

One hundred ninety-three men suspected of harboring prostate cancer with negative MRI findings were included. Patients with positive transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy findings were defined as false-negative. Patients with negative initial TRUS-guided biopsy findings were followed up and only patients with negative findings by digital rectal examination, MRI, and repeat biopsy and no increase in PSA at 5-year follow-up were defined as “clinically negative”. The clinical NPV of mp-MRI was calculated. For quantitative analysis, mean signal intensity on T2-weighted images and the mean apparent diffusion coefficient value on ADC maps of the initial MRI studies were compared between peripheral-zone (PZ) cancer and the normal PZ based on pathologic maps of patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy.

Results

The clinical NPV of mp-MRI was 89.6% for significant prostate cancer. Small cancers, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy masking prostate cancer returned false-negative results. Quantitative analysis showed that there was no significant difference between PZ cancer and the normal PZ.

Conclusion

The mp-MRI revealed a high clinical NPV and is a useful tool to rule out clinically significant prostate cancer before biopsy.     

Transrectal ultrasound findings of prostate cancer mimicking primary rectal tumor

Two patients with disseminated prostatic cancer underwent transrectal ultrasonographic examination. In the rectal wall, at the prostatic level, tumor infiltration was seen without obvious communication to the prostate. Biopsy demonstrated adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemic staining for prostatic specific antigen (PSA) was positive. We recommend the application of PSA staining in biopsy specimens of unclear rectal masses.     

The role of three dimensional transrectal ultrasonography (3-D TRUS) and power Doppler sonography in prostatic lesions evaluation

Aim of work

To evaluate the role of three dimensional (3D), two dimensional (2D) as well as power Doppler transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in diagnosis of different prostatic lesions.

Patients and methods

2-D TRUS, power Doppler and Transrectal 3-D US were performed for 100 patients between April 2009 and April 2010. All patients had been examined clinically with digital rectal examination (DRE) and had serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level (total and free). Patient age ranges from 42 to 67 years and the mean age was 55 years. TRUS guided biopsies were done for 77 cases showing any of the followings: abnormal focal lesion with ultrasound, abnormal vascularity with power Doppler exam, abnormal DRE, elevated serum total PSA >4 ng/ml or when the percent-free PSA is 10% or less in an outpatient setting. The results were recorded and analyzed.

Results

3-D TRUS was more sensitive, specific and more accurate than 2-D TRUS in detecting prostate cancer as it showed estimated sensitivity 78.9% and specificity 94.8% with total accuracy 90.9% with respect to an estimated sensitivity 63.1%, specificity 86.2% and total accuracy 80.5% with 2-D TRUS and was more accurate than 2-D ultrasound in identifying the capsular breaks with an estimated sensitivity 80% with respect to 40% with 2-D TRUS.Power Doppler showed 84.2% sensitivity in detecting prostatic cancer and was of 100% sensitivity in detecting prostatitis. 3-D TRUS was more accurate in estimating the volume of adenoma in cases of BPH with an estimated error not more than +6% with respect to an estimated error not more than +18% for 2-D TRUS.

Conclusion

3-D transrectal ultrasound and power Doppler sonography have specific diagnostic capabilities which added significantly to the ultrasound in detecting and staging of prostatic cancer and in the planning for management .They proved highly valuable in the diagnosis of prostatitis and 3-D TRUS was more accurate than 2-D TRUS in estimating the volume of adenomas in patients with BPH.     

Prostate cancer: comparison of transrectal US and digital rectal examination for screening

The authors examined 784 self-referred men over age 60 years to compare clinical usefulness of transrectal ultrasound (US) and digital rectal examination in a screening program for prostate cancer. Biopsy was performed in 77 cases, 83% (64 of 77) for abnormalities detected with transrectal US and 38% (29 of 77) because of findings at digital examination. Twenty-two cancers were detected, 20 with transrectal US and ten at digital examination. Overall detection rate for prostate cancer with transrectal US was two times higher than that with digital examination (2.6% vs 1.3%). Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value for transrectal US and digital examination were calculated for a range of prevalences (0.028-0.1543). Sensitivity was two times higher for transrectal US than for digital examination. Transrectal US demonstrated 100% (17 of 17) of tumors with the most favorable prognosis (less than or equal to 1.5 cm in diameter) compared with 41% (seven of 17) for digital examination. The authors conclude that transrectal US is more sensitive than digital examination in the detection of prostate cancer, and they advocate broader implementation and evaluation of transrectal US as a tool for early detection.     

Palpable prostatic nodules: comparison of US and digital guidance for fine-needle aspiration biopsy

This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of transrectal sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and to compare sonographic with digital guidance for biopsy. In 62 patients in whom prostatic carcinoma was suspected at digital rectal examination, fine-needle aspiration biopsies were performed transperineally under sonographic guidance and transrectally under digital guidance. These patients had 89 nodules, 73 of which were sampled with both techniques. Malignant cells were obtained under digital guidance in 17 of 73 nodules (23%) and under sonographic guidance in 16 (22%). An additional seven nodules, which were not seen sonographically, were sampled under digital guidance and proved to be negative. In nine other nodules that were nonpalpable and evident only with sonography, malignant cells were obtained under sonographic guidance in three. These findings indicate that sonographic guidance for fine-needle aspiration biopsy is as good as digital guidance for palpable lesions.     

Capsular transgression of prostatic carcinoma: evaluation with transrectal US with pathologic correlation

One hundred twenty-five patients with biopsy proved clinical stage A or B prostatic carcinoma were evaluated with biplane transrectal ultrasonography (US) prior to radical prostatectomy. Sonograms were evaluated for capsular transgression of the tumor into the posterior and posterolateral aspects of the glands as manifested by local contour deformity and irregularity or interruption of the periprostatic fat echoes. Correlation of the findings at US with the findings at pathologic examination of the step sections was obtained, and the presence and depth of capsular penetration were assessed. Of the 250 halves or hemispheres of the prostate gland that were evaluated, capsular penetration was seen at pathologic examination in 86. US enabled correct identification of pericapsular tumor spread in 59 of the 86 hemispheres but did not depict pericapsular tumor spread in 27 hemispheres. Absence of pericapsular tumor spread was verified at pathologic examination in 149 of the 164 hemispheres that either did not have tumor or did not show pericapsular tumor spread. Pericapsular tumor spread was incorrectly diagnosed in 15 hemispheres. A positive US diagnosis of pericapsular tumor spread correlated moderately well with the depth of penetration demonstrated at pathologic examination. Transrectal US is an effective noninvasive procedure that demonstrates the presence of prostatic cancer.     

Nonpalpable cancer of the prostate: assessment with transrectal US

Palpable cancer of the prostate is widely believed to be clinically significant. The authors compared the clinical significance of palpable prostate cancer with nonpalpable prostate cancer discovered with transrectal ultrasound (US). A strong association between lesion volume measured with preoperative transrectal US and volumetric measurements in 60 radical prostatectomy specimens permitted the use of tumor size measured with transrectal US as a reasonable estimation of gross tumor volume. In a subsequent clinical series, 147 biopsy-proved cancers were grouped according to size measured at US, the findings at digital rectal examination (DRE), and the Gleason score. For the 147 patients with known prostate cancer, a statistically significant difference between Gleason scores of palpable and nonpalpable cancers could not be demonstrated when the size of the tumor and its location within the prostate were held constant. Assuming that the Gleason score is a reliable indication of malignant potential and clinical significance, the authors conclude that nonpalpable prostatic cancer detected with transrectal US alone may be just as clinically significant as prostatic cancer discovered with DRE.     

Determination of prostate volume with transrectal US for cancer screening. Part I. Comparison with prostate-specific antigen assays.

To investigate whether radiologists can objectively define a high-risk group for prostate cancer, the researchers measured gland volume and compared it with results of a screening blood test, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay. A total of 768 men, aged 55-71 years, were self-referred to two prostate cancer screening programs using transrectal ultrasound (US) and digital rectal examination. In patients with no evidence of cancer, statistically significant increases in mean PSA values were noted with increasing gland volume ranges (P less than .05). PSA values in patients with cancer were more likely to exceed the volume-adjusted 95th percentile (mean + [1.65.standard deviation]) than those in patients with negative biopsy results (P less than .005). Patients with PSA values above the volume-adjusted 95th percentile have an estimated risk for prostate cancer up to nine times that of the general screening population. The researchers conclude that knowledge of transrectal US gland volume and prostate-specific antigen assay type are important objective variables for future prostate cancer screening programs. The volume-adjusted 95th percentiles presented may help guide cost-effective management of current early detection efforts.     

New ultrasound technologies for the diagnostics of prostate cancer

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. The diagnosis is based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy. These techniques have considerable limitations, which result in unnecessary biopsies. Furthermore the biopsies are associated with morbidity and costs. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Standard gray-scale ultrasound has a low sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer detection. METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS: New ultrasound technologies, including color- and power Doppler ultrasound, contrast enhanced US and real-time sonoelastography have shown to improve prostate cancer diagnosis. PERFORMANCE: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has shown a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 95%), a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.8% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.8% for prostate cancer detection. Real-time sonoelastography has shown a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 81% and NPV of 91% for prostate cancer diagnosis. ACHIEVEMENTS: Most studies show that these new ultrasound modalities demonstrate a 1.5 to 2.5 times higher detection of prostate cancer per biopsy specimen compared with systematic biopsy. Multicenter studies results are at present lacking but are, however ongoing. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: In patients with suspected prostate cancer (elevated PSA, suspicious DRE) these new ultrasound techniques should be used. These techniques can detect prostate cancer and allow a targeted biopsy approach.