New imaging modalities to consider for men with prostate cancer on active surveillance

Purpose To discuss the potential utility of newer imaging modalities including micro-ultrasound and PSMA-PET for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, technologies that may gain roles as adjuncts to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the active surveillance (AS) setting. Methods Narrative review of two new imaging modalities used for primary prostate cancer through April 2021. A targeted search was performed to identify current relevant literature on the role of new imaging modalities for primary prostate cancer using search terms micro-ultrasound, molecular imaging, prostate cancer, active surveillance, multiparametric MRI, PI-RADS, PRI-MUS, and detection rate. In addition, references of included articles were screened for further relevant publications. Results Micro-ultrasound (micro-US) and prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) are increasing in their use and applicability to prostate cancer imaging. Micro-US is used for cancer detection and may identify higher grade cancers more accurately than conventional ultrasound, despite technical hurdles in its initial launch. PSMA-PET is highly sensitive and specific for high-grade and metastatic prostate cancer, though costly and not easily available. Though data are sparse, it may have an emerging role in cancer diagnosis in select localized cases, and in some men considering (or currently on) AS who have indications of more aggressive disease. Conclusion There are very limited data on micro-US and PSMA-PET in AS patients. However, given the ability of these modalities to identify high-grade cancer, their judicious use in AS patients may be of utility in the future.

Automated summary

Micro-ultrasound and PSMA-PET are increasingly used for prostate cancer imaging, showing high sensitivity and specificity. While data are limited, they may have emerging roles in cancer diagnosis in select localized cases and in men considering active surveillance with indications of more aggressive disease.