Spatial Tracking of Targeted Prostate Biopsy Locations: Moving Towards Effective Focal Partial Prostate Gland Ablation with Improved Treatment Planning

Abstract

The ability to selectively characterize, localize, and predict the specific areas of the prostate gland which harbor the worst biologic behavior is requisite for optimal prostate cancer therapy, especially in the emerging field of partial prostate gland ablation (focal therapy). In this manuscript, we highlight contemporary techniques in target tracking for focal therapy planning. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a dominant strategy to localize biopsy sites most likely to contain high-grade lesions. In-bore MRI biopsy and MR/US fusion biopsy using cognitive or software-enhanced co-registration have also become the most common strategy to accomplish this technical challenge. Such advances have led to growing optimism in the field of focal therapy for prostate cancer.

Keywords: Focal therapy; MR/US fusion biopsy; MRI; Prostate cancer; Tracking.