When elevated PSA levels are observed and there is a suspicion that the elevation is caused by prostate cancer prostate biopsy is frequently the next diagnostic procedure to be performed. Unfortunately, biopsy results are frequently falsely negative. A false negative result can occur due to many reasons and is hardly distinguishable from a truly negative prostate biopsy result, which raises the question of how reliable and effective prostate cancer diagnosis should be conducted if the current status quo is incapable of producing a fully trustworthy result.
Our physician Stefan W. Czarniecki, MD, his brother Marcin Czarniecki, MD, a specialist in radiology, as well as several other specialists from the United States and Spain including: Juan Gómez Rivas, MD, Mario Alvarez-Maestro, MD, Moises Rodriguez Socarras, MD and Professor Stacy Loeb wrote a scientific review paper on the subject of prostate biopsy, its application in the diagnostic process of prostate cancer and whether it really is an indispensable diagnostic tool. This issue concerns many patients. The scientific paper has been published in a renowned „EMJ EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL”.
The published scientific review paper discusses the limitations of using PSA concentration measurements, limitations of traditional prostate biopsy and innovative alternatives such as: prostate liquid biopsy, prostate MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy and the role of prostate MRI in the diagnosis of this disease. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is currently the main diagnostic tool used for detecting prostate cancer, regrettably PSA has limited specificity and sensitivity, which often leaves doctors not utilizing new diagnostic methods facing a decision that is necessary but cannot be fully justified. The scientific paper also reviews currently available diagnostic tools, in situations when PSA is elevated and prostate biopsy results come out negative – meaning they do not show the presence of cancer cells within the prostate gland.