Instructional Course - Requires Course Pass or Individual Course Ticket, Additional Registration Required

024IC: Prostate Cancer Diagnostics: Biomarkers, MRI, & Biopsy Techniques

Instructional Course Director(s)

• 

  Daniel Barocas, MD

  Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Instructional Course Faculty(s)

• 

  John Wei, MD

  Professor
  University of Michigan
• SE

  Scott Eggener, MD

This course is intended for urologists interested in optimizing detection of clinically important prostate cancers, while improving patient experience and minimizing complications. The attendee will explore the continuing controversy of screening for prostate cancer, prostate cancer detection guidelines, use of PSA, PSA adjuncts and isoforms, and other biomarkers for prostate cancer detection. This will lead into a discussion of prostate biopsy, including concepts crucial to reducing morbidity of prostate biopsy and improving patient experience. This course reviews available data regarding biopsy indications and techniques, including trans-rectal and trans-perineal approaches, as well as ideal number and location of cores. The course also covers clinical implications of pathological findings such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), and emerging markers designed to improve cancer detection. Additionally, this course fully explores the imperative of having a purposeful approach to biopsy aimed at diagnosing clinically meaningful cancer while minimizing detection of clinically insignificant cancer. We also present the most current information regarding the use of image guided biopsy techniques, such as MRI-ultrasound fusion guided biopsy. Overall, the course provides an evidence-based and practical overview of methods to detect and diagnose prostate cancer.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Express risks compared to benefits of prostate cancer screening, and how to optimize prostate biopsy both from patient experience and cancer detection standpoints.
• Review prostate biopsy strategies regarding approach (trans-rectal vs. trans-perineal), location and number of cores to improve the chance of detecting clinically significant cancer.
• Describe strategies for minimizing patient discomfort and infectious complications of prostate biopsy.
• Explain the role of available urinary and serum markers for the appropriate detection of prostate cancer in the current era.
• Outline the role of MRI-guided prostate biopsy, and the techniques for performing it.