Breaking News at European Association of Urology: Micro-Ultrasound Meets, Beats MRIs

Micro-Ultrasound does as well as more pricey MRI in finding PCas

By Howard Wolinsky

Big news from the European Association of Urologists (EAU) Congress in Madrid: Micro-ultrasound is just as effective as MRI in detecting prostate cancer—and it’s more affordable.

In a groundbreaking JAMA study, lead researcher Dr. Adam Kinnaird (University of Alberta) revealed:

“Micro-ultrasound improves detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by 3-5% compared to MRI alone,” he said. (See more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2831985

This is a game-changer for men who:

 Suffer from claustrophobia—no more MRI tubes!

 Have metal implants (pacemakers, artificial joints) who can distort the magnetic field;

 Need cost-effective screening, especially in lower-income countries,

Dr. Laurence Klotz, University of Toronto, Active Surveillance pioneer and senior researcher on the micro-ultrasound study, emphasized: “At $350,000, micro-ultrasound machines are a fraction of the cost of MRI systems—democratizing prostate cancer detection worldwide.” New MRI systems can cost $1.5-#3 millionplus about 10% annualy for maintenance costs.

Micro-Ultrasound background:

 FDA-approved since 2017

 29 MHz resolution vs. 6-9 MHz in standard ultrasound

 Detects tumors as small as 70 microns (a human hair’s width). Tracks biopsy markers from previous procedures

—Want to learn more? Subscribe now for exclusive deep dives on cutting-edge prostate cancer diagnostics.

(PRI-MUS on top; PI-RADS-2 bottom)

Patient’s Perspective: “My Micro-Ultrasound Experience”

By Phil Segal 

PC Foundation/Canada

As a Canadian Active Surveillance patient, I was thrilled to see ExactVu’s micro-ultrasound validated in this new study.

My journey:

 2015 MRI: Nightmare for my claustrophobia; risk of gadolinium accumulating and getting past the blood-brain barrier;

 2019 transrectal biopsy: Negative, but an invasive procedure of course posing risks for infectiom and of spread of cancers rarely;

 2022 micro-ultrasound: Quick, painless, no contrast dye;

o Dr. Laurence Klotz, University of Toronto pioneer, scored cmy ancer prostate PRI-MUS 2 (ike MRI’s PI-RADS 2;

o Repeat scan in 2024: Same, stable result

The procedure?

 Lithotomy position (ask your spouse)!

 Probe insertion: Less discomfort than a DRE

 Done in 3-4 minutes

Dr. Klotz’s verdict:

“If your PSA stays stable, you may never need another scan.”

Event this Saturday: ASPI’s biomarkers and AS webinar

Hosted by Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI)

—Saturday, March 29, 2025 |  12:00–1:30 PM ET

—Featuring Dr. Jonathan Tward (University of Utah), a global biomarker expert

—Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/wsESZAXeR8Shp7FU60FHvg

—Submit questions: contactus@aspatients.org

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The Active Surveillor: Your Trusted Prostate Cancer Resource. Go to TheActiveSUrveillor.com and use the search bubble to find earlier articles on PSAs, MRIs, AI, you name it. And suggest story ideas. If you have questions for our panel of experts on prostate cancer in general, MRIs, pathology reports and lifestyle issues and prostate cancer, send them to howard,wolinsky@gmail.com and put questions on the subject line.