Dr. Mark Scholz on Advances in Prostate Cancer Imaging

Mark C. Scholz, MD, medical director, Prostate Oncology Specialists Inc. in Marina del Rey, CA, describes his excitement over advances in prostate cancer imaging techniques.

Detecting and screening for prostate cancer using multiparametric MRI has the potential to impact two areas, Scholz explains. First, studies have shown that in some cases imaging can be effectively substituted for a routine biopsy. Secondly, Scholz notes, this approach could be used to monitor patients on active surveillance.

The potential to utilize imaging to reduce the number of biopsies is exciting, Scholz believes, particularly since biopsies may lead to serious infections and overdiagnosis in early stage prostate cancer.