Multiparametric Prostate MRI

The most commonly utilized prostate cancer screening tool is the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), along with digital rectal examination. However, PSA can be inaccurate due to confounding issues related to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. The ability for radiologists to accurately identify clinically significant prostate cancer is crucial to the adequate management of prostate cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate allows for improved detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Multiparametric prostate MRI enables radiologists to visualize suspicious prostate lesions accurately and facilitate the targeting of those lesions for biopsy, thus improving the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis. Additionally, MRI allows for the localization of tumors prior to localized therapies.

During the past 10 years, there have been significant technical advances in prostate MRI and marked standardization of prostate MRI interpretation and reporting. The current state-of-the-art methods deployed by UC Irvine radiologists include advanced imaging techniques on 3 Tesla MRIs, which have undergone extensive quality control and utilize the latest in prostate reporting standards, PI-RADS version 2.1.

20+ years of Clinical Expertise

Our UC Irvine board-certified abdominal radiologists have over 20 years of prostate MRI experience. We regularly partner with the Departments of Urology and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine for radiologic and pathologic lesion analysis. Faculty, residents and fellows also attend genitourinary tumor boards and play a vital role in clinical care.

At the Forefront of Prostate MRI Research

Our abdominal imaging radiology faculty have led and been involved in various prostate MRI research projects, which have yielded presentations at national and international scientific meetings and multiple publications. Our department is at the forefront of prostate MRI research, applying advanced artificial intelligence techniques to improve the detection and classification of prostate cancer.

Cutting-Edge Clinical Practices

At UC Irvine, prostate MRI is routinely utilized for the care of prostate cancer patients. Using combined systemic and MRI-targeted biopsies, our radiologists have a high degree of success in identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. Prostate MRI is an important component of patient selection for active surveillance of patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Our high-resolution prostate MRIs are also able to accurately assess local staging of prostate cancer and verify the organ-confined status of the cancer. MRI assessment of pelvic lymph nodes is utilized for tumor localization in radiation therapy planning.