Lenox Hill Hospital's Prostate Cancer Center Using New Ground-Breaking Technology to Improve Accuracy of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 03/11/15 -- Since the 1980s, men have undergone prostate biopsies in the same way with no reliable imaging tools to help diagnose prostate cancer -- until now. Lenox Hill Hospital's Prostate Cancer Center is the first and only center in Manhattan to use UroNav prostate fusion biopsy technology, which combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with real-time ultrasound for visualization of suspicious areas within the prostate gland. 

"Biopsies guided by MR/ultrasound fusion could be a game changer in the field of prostate cancer," said David B. Samadi, MD, Chairman of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. "The fusion of MR/ Ultrasound and Standard Biopsy is more targeted than a sole random biopsy and results in less false negatives. This test may be the magic mix we need to quickly and effectively diagnose aggressive prostate cancer."

In comparison to the traditional core needle biopsy, which lacks precision and uses random prostate sampling, the cutting-edge UroNav Fusion Biopsy System offers unparalleled detection of high risk prostate cancer. By fusing pre-biopsy MR images of the prostate with real-time ultrasound-guided biopsy images, physicians now have a detailed, three-dimensional view of the prostate and clear visualization of suspicious lesions resulting in a more targeted diagnosis and lowering the risk that an aggressive cancer is overlooked.

"Another advantage to this technique is that it can be done in the office, and is convenient. The UroNav Fusion Biopsy has the potential to detect lesions in a large prostate that would have otherwise gone unnoticed and untreated. Limitations include cost of the technology and a learning curve for urologists who have traditionally used random biopsy to diagnose," added Dr. Samadi.

Here's how the ultrasound-guided fusion biopsy works: an electro-magnetic navigation system, similar to a GPS tracking device, is placed over the patient's hip to locate the needle position and guide the biopsy. The MRI and ultrasound images are aligned and overlaid in real-time and visible "targets" are displayed based on the MRI exam findings.

A recent seven-year study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, which compared standard biopsy with targeted MR/ultrasound fusion biopsy, found that the targeted biopsy diagnosed 30% more high risk cancers and 17 percent fewer low-risk cancers. "Targeted fusion biopsies reduce the prospect of finding indolent or clinically insignificant cancers, which helps in lowering overtreatment and over diagnosis," said Dr. Samadi.

"Looking toward the future with a targeted biopsy, we can continue to improve and ensure extreme accuracy during the prostate cancer diagnosis process: this directly affects how we proceed to treat the disease," said Dr. Samadi.

For men on active surveillance or watchful waiting, targeted fusion biopsy plays a role as a way to follow up any change in their clinical status and need for further intervention. "We can detect low risk prostate cancer and from there, determine if the patient is a good candidate for definitive treatments and close surveillance," said Dr. Samadi.

To get in touch with Dr. Samadi personally about this state of the art technology please call (212) 365-5000 or visit www.prostatecancer911.com.

About Lenox Hill Hospital:

Lenox Hill Hospital, a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, is a 652-bed, fully accredited, acute care hospital located on Manhattan's Upper East Side with a national reputation for outstanding patient care and innovative medical and surgical treatments. US News & World Report has ranked the hospital among the nation's top 50 in Cardiology and Heart Surgery and among the top 10 hospitals in the state of New York with a total of 11 "high performing" designations for its clinical performance in Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Ear, Nose & Throat, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Urology.

For more information, go to www.lenoxhillhospital.org.

   Barbara Osborn212-4342400

Source: North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System

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