Radboud university medical center has developed a technique that doctors can use to detect metastases of prostate cancer in lymph nodes at an earlier stage. This is important, because the early detection of metastases is crucial for the prognosis and treatment of cancer.
If prostate cancer spreads, it often spreads to bones or lymph nodes. “With this technique, we can give these men more clarity about their disease course and treat them earlier and more specifically,” says radiologist Ansje Fortuin. “In the case of metastatic cancer, removal of the prostate alone is not sufficient, which is also a burdensome operation. Radiation is then a better option and this can be done in a more targeted way.”
The Nijmegen hospital conducted research among twenty patients. “In this group of patients, there was a high expectation that the prostate cancer could have spread,” says Tom Scheenen, professor of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance at Radboudumc, to NU.nl.
The patients were subjected to two MRI scans. In the second, new method, the so-called field strength was increased. This means that the resulting MRI image is much sharper and researchers can see more as a result. This enabled them to detect particles as small as 1 millimeter in size.
“In almost all patients we could not see any metastases in the first, less severe scan, which were visible in the second, new scan,” says Scheenen.
The research was carried out in collaboration with the University of Duisburg-Essen. The heavier scanner used for the study is normally used to scan the head and limbs of patients. The Netherlands also has this scanner. According to Scheenen, it was “technically very challenging” to image the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes.
The new technique has not yet been approved for large-scale use. According to Scheenen, the treatment can already be used in clinical trials. The researchers also hope to be able to apply the technique to other types of cancer in the future, such as esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer and head and neck tumours.
