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Understanding the diagnosis of prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Ong Xuan Rui S,
Bagguley Dominic,
Yaxley John W,
Azad Arun A,
Murphy Declan G,
Lawrentschuk Nathan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja2.50820
Subject(s) - overdiagnosis , medicine , prostate cancer , magnetic resonance imaging , prostate , positron emission tomography , dutasteride , prostate specific antigen , radiology , cancer , watchful waiting , management of prostate cancer , urology
Summary Prostate cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death among Australian men. Prostate‐specific antigen testing is personalised (not dichotomous in nature) and its interpretation should take into account the patient's age, symptoms, previous results and medication (eg, 5‐α reductase inhibitors such as dutasteride). Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate has been proven to have a 93% sensitivity for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer. It has the potential to decrease unnecessary prostate biopsies by around 27%. International Society of Urological Pathology ( ISUP ) grade 1 (Gleason score 6) has been shown to have very little, if any, risk of metastasis ISUP grade 1 (Gleason score 3 +3 = 6) and low percentage ISUP grade 2 (Gleason score 3 + 4 [< 10%] = 7) can be offered active surveillance. The goal of active surveillance is to defer treatment but is still curative when required. With better imaging (magnetic resonance imaging and emerging prostate‐specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography–computed tomography) and transperineal prostate biopsy, more men can be offered screening after discussion of risks and benefits, knowing that overdiagnosis has been minimised and radical treatment is reserved for only the most aggressive disease.