Prostate cancer could be diagnosed faster with ‘game changing' ultrasound scan

Prostate cancer could be diagnosed faster by using a new 'game changing' ultrasound scan instead of a traditional MRI, research has shown.
Currently patients must undergo both an MRI scan and biopsy, in which a sample is removed and tested for cancer.
The MRI scan is mapped onto an ultrasound image for the biopsy, which can often be on a different day, allowing doctors to pinpoint the position of the cancer and get a sample.
But scientists have found that a new, high-resolution micro-ultrasound – a clearer, more detailed version of the technology used to image a baby in a womb – could speed up the process with just as accurate results.
The researchers, led by the University of Toronto, said using micro-ultrasound (microUS) was quicker, cheaper and safer than MRI scans, and so could speed up diagnosis, reduce hospital visits, and free up MRI machines for other people.
The Optimum trial, which is being presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid on Sunday, and published in the journal, JAMA, involved 677 men who underwent biopsies at 19 hospitals across Canada, the US and Europe.
Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: half underwent MRI-guided biopsy, a third received microUS-guided biopsy followed by MRI-guided biopsy and the remainder received microUS-guided biopsy alone.
The study revealed there were very similar rates of prostate cancer detected across all three groups, with biopsies taken using the micro-ultrasound scan just as effective as MRI.
About 100,000 men in the UK undergo a prostate biopsy every year and more than 50,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
A lack of accurate screening tests means many men with high protein-specific antigen (PSA) scores are sent for such scans and biopsies to confirm or rule out cancer.
The MicroUS uses a higher frequency than standard ultrasound and provides images that have three times greater resolution, and can therefore capture similar detail to MRI scans.
Prof Laurence Klotz, lead researcher and professor of surgery at the University of Toronto, said the trial's results could have a similar impact to that of MRI when it was introduced.
'When MRI first emerged and you could image prostate cancer accurately for the first time to do targeted biopsies, that was a game changer,' he said. 'But MRI isn't perfect. It's expensive. It can be challenging to get access to it quickly. It requires a lot of experience to interpret properly.'
He said MRI also used 'gadolinium which has some toxicity' and that certain patients – such as those with hip replacements or pacemakers – could not have an MRI scan.
'But we now know that microUS can give as good a diagnostic accuracy as MRI and that is also game changing,' Prof Klotz added.
'It means you can offer a one-stop shop, where patients are scanned, then biopsied immediately if required. There's no toxicity. There are no exclusions. It's much cheaper and more accessible. And it frees up MRIs for hips and knees and all the other things they're needed for.'
Commenting on the findings, Prof Jochen Walz, a urological imaging expert from the Institute Paoli-Calmettes, a cancer centre in Marseille, said it added 'a very important tool to the diagnosis of prostate cancer'.
He said it was also 'safer' because it avoided the potential for 'errors that can creep in' when MRI images are manually transferred to ultrasound.
'It does require training to spot the patterns and interpret micro-ultrasound images correctly. But once that's been mastered, then it could enable prostate cancer diagnosis and biopsy to happen at the same appointment,' Prof Walz said.
'The ease and cost of micro-ultrasound means it could be an important tool for screening programmes as well, but further research would be needed to understand its potential role in that setting.'
The trial was sponsored by Canadian company Exact Imaging, which has developed the microUS technology.

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Scottish Sun

3 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Doctors said my baby boy had colic – now he lives with a lifelong seizure disorder and too many brain tumours to count

Thomas, now 13, has daily seizures - sometimes lasting up to three hours at a time - and uses a wheelchair DEVASTATING IMPACT Doctors said my baby boy had colic – now he lives with a lifelong seizure disorder and too many brain tumours to count Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN five-month-old Thomas Ward began screaming inconsolably on Valentine's Day in 2012, doctors told his mum Philippa that he likely had colic and might be teething. Nine days later, 'the bottom fell out' of Philippa's world when her son was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on numerous organs, including the brain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Thomas has a genetic disorder which causes tumours to grow on his brain 6 Doctors initially told his mum Philippa that he likely had colic or was teething Thomas is now 13 and has "more tumours than doctors can count". His devastating condition impacts nearly every aspect of his life, causing developmental delays, terrifying three-hour seizures, and the need for a wheelchair. Here, Philippa, 47, a communications professional from York, tells their story… 'YOU can't possibly think Thomas is having seizures, can you?' I will never forget the response from the out-of-hours doctor when I took my then-five-month-old son to the hospital one weekend in February 2012 after he began behaving unusually, crying incessantly and making strange, jerky movements. We were dismissed and told it was likely a simple case of colic - when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious cause - or that he might be teething. Unhappy with this outcome, and as the symptoms continued, a few days later I took Thomas to see our local GP. She agreed he was behaving unusually and wrote to the paediatrician at the local hospital. There was no indication that Thomas had a medical problem that needed to be urgently addressed, but my instincts told me otherwise. The following day, I packed a bag, took my older son Ben to nursery and walked to A&E with Thomas. Mum shares red-flag warning sign on her baby's head that turned out to be meningitis - triggering 15 seizures As soon as the doctor saw him, he diagnosed Thomas with infantile spasms - a rare and damaging form of epilepsy. He then revealed my wonderful little boy might have tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), but he would have to be transferred to a larger hospital for an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis. It was a terrifying time. February 29 is recognised around the world as Rare Disease Day, and it also happens to be the day Thomas was officially diagnosed with TSC, which causes tumours to form on the eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, lungs and brain. My legs gave way when we found out. It felt as though the bottom had fallen out of my world. My husband David and I learned that our son had numerous tumours on his brain and that they could cause cognitive impairment, developmental delays, behavioural problems, autism spectrum disorder, and seizures, which often cannot be adequately controlled using standard medications. We were also told that there are no approved therapies that address the root cause of TSC, so our only care options for Thomas were various therapies, symptom-based medications and possibly surgery. The days that followed were a blur. 6 Philippa, from York, says her son's condition affects their lives every single day 6 Thomas now has 'too many tumours on his brain to count' Despite an estimated one million people living with it worldwide, TSC is classified as a rare disease. If Thomas hadn't been diagnosed with it, I'd probably never have heard of it myself. Thomas underwent a few more tests before being discharged from hospital. As we were leaving, the neurologist handed us a leaflet from the Tuberous Sclerosis Association (TSA) - the UK charity dedicated to helping families affected by TSC. It felt like a strange consolation prize after receiving such a massive, life-changing diagnosis, but it became a lifeline, signposting to many of the resources and support available to us. We also joined a newly-formed Facebook group for other parents of children with TSC, and through that met some people who have gone on to become friends. But TSC continues to affect us every single day. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a toddler shout: 'Seizure, seizure!' Philippa Ward Thomas is now 13, and like many people with TSC, he experiences seizures most days. At one point, Thomas was having up to eight seizures a day. Today, he typically still has at least one, usually right after waking up. They can last up to three hours at a time. He is not able to verbally communicate and has delayed motor skills. He often uses a wheelchair for outings to ensure his safety. Thomas requires regular medical scans and monitoring to track his tumours - there are now too many on his brain to count. He has been on numerous anti-epileptic medications, but none have fully relieved him from the exhausting seizures. TSC has put our entire family on a rollercoaster ride. As parents, there has been so much to learn about having a child with complex medical and developmental needs. FAMILY IMPACT It is especially difficult for us to witness the effect on our elder son, Ben. By age three, he could recognise a seizure and learned to alert us if Thomas was having one. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a toddler shout: 'Seizure, seizure!' Ben, now 15, is very aware of his brother's needs. He understands the importance of being quiet in the evenings so Thomas can sleep. There are many activities we can't do as a family due to safety and accessibility issues. As a young carer, Carers UK provides him with support and resources when needed. 6 The now-13-year-old has seizures every day, sometimes lasting three hours at a time 6 He is a 'lovely young man with a vibrant personality', his mum says Despite the challenges Thomas has faced throughout his life, he remains a lovely young man with a vibrant personality and clear passions. He is a remarkable problem solver and even though he cannot speak, he is able to communicate very effectively when he wants something. He's a gentle and affectionate soul and a joy to be around. Thomas' favourite foods are chips, toast and avocado - he also loves ketchup and mayonnaise. He enjoys going on train rides, car journeys, watching YouTube videos and listening to music. His favourite person in the world is his big brother. One of the most important things we've learned since Thomas' diagnosis is the importance of community, especially one that understands your unique circumstances. What is tuberous sclerosis complex? ABOUT one million people worldwide are living with tuberous sclerosis complex, and up to 11,000 are diagnosed in the UK. It causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on the brain, as well as the eyes, heart, skin, kidneys and lungs. These tumours, which impact the central nervous system, can result in cognitive impairment, developmental delays, behavioural problems, autism, and seizures, which often can't be controlled by standard medicines. The condition can also cause skin abnormalities (such as patches of light-coloured or thickened skin, or red acne-like spots on the face), breathing difficulties, hyperactivity, kidney issues and a build-up of fluid on the brain. TSC is present from birth, although it may not cause obvious problems immediately. It is caused by changes in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which are involved in regulating cell growth. There is no cure, but medicine, surgery and educational support can help. Many people with TSC will have a normal lifespan, although a number of life-threatening complications can develop. These include a loss of kidney function, a serious lung infection called bronchopneumonia and a severe type of epileptic seizure called status epilepticus. Patients may also have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, but this is rare. Source: NHS Families impacted by serious conditions, especially rare diseases, often find themselves feeling isolated and alone in the weeks and months following a diagnosis. We are hugely fortunate to have our own family close by, and they are a great support to us, as is the wider TSC community around the UK and beyond. Since Thomas' diagnosis, I have done everything in my power to advocate for TSC awareness. I took part in the Great North Run to raise money for the TSA, have spoken at conferences and awareness events, shared our family's story with my workplace, and advocated for the TSC community within the NHS. There are a number of messages that I hope people take away from our family's story. Firstly, research for rare diseases like TSC is critical. While only between 3,700 and 11,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with TSC, each of these diagnoses impacts everyone in the patient's life. 'On constant alert' Having a treatment for TSC would be amazing. Thomas' frequent seizures require everyone in our house to be on constant alert. It's not easy, but Thomas is a wonderful young man, and he makes it all worthwhile. We remain hopeful that there will one day be a treatment that can improve Thomas' quality of life - and ours. I also want to remind parents of children with TSC, or any rare disease, of the importance of living in the present. When your child is diagnosed with a condition like TSC, it's understandable to ask: Why does my child have this disease? What will our future look like? We immediately begin grieving the child we thought we would have. I still don't fully understand why Thomas has TSC, but David and I are able to find tremendous joy in our lives with our son every day. The best things we can do are keep him safe, meet him where he is, help him enjoy life, and love every part of who he is. I look forward to the day when Thomas and others with TSC can access safe and effective treatment options. Until then, I am committed to making the world more inclusive and understanding.

Medical News Today

4 hours ago

• Medical News Today

Modified DASH diet may reduce blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes

Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, as well as unique nutritional study found that reducing sodium intake and following a modified version of the DASH diet helped to decrease blood pressure in participants with type 2 main reason for the observed decrease in blood pressure was the decreased sodium is common for people with diabetes to also experience high blood pressure. A study tested how a modified version of the DASH diet that focused on the nutritional needs of people with type 2 diabetes, combined with minimizing sodium intake, affected blood pressure dietary combination lowered systolic blood pressure among participants by around five points and diastolic blood pressure by around two points compared to the comparison diet with more sodium. This result was mainly from the decreased sodium findings were published in JAMA Internal DASH4D diet for blood pressure management The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet is a diet for heart health. Study author Scott J. Pilla, MD, MHS, explained to Medical News Today that 'The DASH diet is a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, and is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.'However, the study notes that the DASH diet doesn't consider the unique dietary needs of people with type 2 diabetes. So, researchers created the 'Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension for Diabetes (DASH4D) diet,' which is similar to the DASH diet but considers what adults with type 2 diabetes need. For example, this diet was lower in carbohydrates than the typical DASH diet. Researchers tested how this diet, combined with decreased sodium intake, affected participants' blood randomized clinical trial included 102 adults with type 2 diabetes whose systolic blood pressure was between 120 and 159 mmHg. Participants were designated as having type 2 diabetes if they had a hemoglobin A1C of 6.5% or greater, were taking medications for diabetes treatment, or were ineligible to participate in the study for a number of reasons, including having type 1 diabetes, if their A1C was over 9%, or if they were taking weight loss average age of participants was 66 years. About two-thirds of participants used at least two medications to help lower blood pressure, and a little over half used at least two medications to lower blood 4 different dietsResearchers assigned participants to receive four diets in varying orders, each for five weeks. One was a DASH4D diet with low sodium, and another was the DASH4D diet but with higher sodium intake. The other two were comparison diets: one with lower sodium and one with higher sodium, and these diets were similar to the intake of adults with diabetes living in the United States. The participants were provided with the food for their assigned diets, and aside from allowed beverages, they were not supposed to eat food from other sources outside the did not lose weight throughout the study. Researchers measured systolic blood pressure during the last two weeks of each diet intervention. They kept track of adverse events among participants, such as any very high blood pressure self-reported how well they stuck to their assigned diets, but researchers also did a 24-hour urine excretion test during the fourth or fifth weeks to look at sodium, creatinine, and potassium levels, which also was a way to test how well participants were following diet findings showed that the lowering of blood pressure mostly occurred during the first three weeks of participants following a diet. The researchers found that the DASH4D diet with reduced sodium showed a better overall decrease in blood pressure versus the comparison diet that had higher sodium intake. The average difference in systolic blood pressure between these two groups was 4.6 mmHg, and the average difference in diastolic blood pressure was 2.3 mmHg.'The main finding was that a low-sodium DASH4D diet (compared to a higher sodium typical American diet) caused a statistically and clinically significant reduction in blood pressure. Sodium reduction appeared to contribute more strongly to reducing blood pressure than the DASH4D diet.'— Scott J. Pilla, MDJennifer Wong, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, also noted that 'Studies like these remind us of the beneficial impact of a heart-healthy diet, especially a low salt diet designed to modify blood pressure.'Study limitations This research only included a small number of participants and focused on a niche subgroup of individuals, limiting generalizability. The majority of participants were Black, which provided important information about this at-risk group. Two-thirds of the participants were women. However, research in other groups may also be dietary interventions for this study each only lasted five weeks, so long-term follow-up may be helpful with further data, such as following the assigned diet and health history, was self-reported by participants, so inaccuracies are adverse events on the DASH4D diet with low sodium were low, more research into the potential risks may be helpful. Researchers also suggest the need for more research in people with a higher level of risk. The amount that blood pressure was lowered by could have been less in this study for many reasons, such as the high number of participants taking diuretics and the number of participants who experienced changes to their blood pressure medications during the acknowledge that they weren't able to detect the separate impact of the DASH4D diet and decreased sodium intake. Another struggle was the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors explain that this 'interrupted participant feeding at several points.' It was also only a single-site also noted that 'More work is needed on how to make healthy, low sodium diets accessible. Following a healthy diet can be challenging and costly, and we would like to design diets that meet the DASH4D nutrient targets that are more affordable and tailored to different cultures.'Researchers note that it may be hard to decrease sodium intake to only 1,500 mg a day, and future research in this area will be helpful. The authors say this research should include 'implementation research in community settings.'Should I follow a DASH4D diet if I have diabetes?The result suggests that the DASH4D eating plan combined with lower sodium intake helps with blood pressure reduction in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers note that a five mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure can decrease the risk of stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular events. It can also help with kidney noted the following regarding the clinical implications of the study:'Diet change can effectively improve blood pressure in people with diabetes, even those on multiple antihypertensive medications, so clinicians should still focus on diet even in these individuals.''Dietary sodium reduction is an important part of dietary change in people with diabetes to achieve better blood pressure control. Our specific DASH4D diet with lower sodium now has strong evidence for benefiting people with diabetes, so it should be strongly considered as a recommended diet in this population.'— Scott J. Pilla, MDEven though there may be a need for more research, Patrick Kee, MD, PhD, a cardiologist at Vital Heart & Vein, noted the following about the study's results:'The acceptability and adherence to the lower sodium intake (~1500 mg/day) was high among participants, suggesting that with proper guidance and access to prepared meals or education, such dietary targets are feasible in practice. This finding counters a long-standing belief that stringent sodium targets may be unrealistic for patients.'

Daily Mirror

10 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Parents worried over dreaded 8-words are saved from 'apocalyptic life'

Simon and Helen's daughter Ruby-Mae has severe complex needs. They say without Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, which faces rising costs, that life would be 'apocalyptic'. In 2023, Simon Morley and his partner Helen Bolger heard the words no parent wants to hear. "It was a scary moment when one of Ruby's epilepsy consultants told us, 'your daughter would benefit from the children's hospice'," Simon, 46, says. "But from the moment we walked through that door at Noah's Ark, it was such positivity and professionalism – it was an amazing set-up. We are part of the furniture now." ‌ Simon and Helen's seven-year-old daughter Ruby-Mae was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder, at the age of two-and-a-half. She has severe complex needs, uses a wheelchair and needs an eye-gaze device to communicate, as she is non-verbal. For her family, life would now be unthinkable without the hospice. ‌ "Boy, has this hospice changed all our lives," Simon, who has put his micro-brewery business on pause to become Ruby's primary carer. "Noah's Ark is like the oxygen mask on a plane, it helps us to then help Ruby. It is wrap-around care for the whole family. Ruby absolutely loves it. Without The Ark being there, her life would be so diminished, she would not be the happy girl she is. Our lives would be apocalyptic without Noah's Ark." Noah's Ark Children's Hospice has been caring for children since 2006 but this year found itself facing severe financial challenges as an unintended consequence of National Insurance rises introduced by the Treasury. There are over 50 children's hospices and 200 adult hospices in the UK, providing palliative care and end-of-life support to over 300,000 people a year. "The NI increase is expected to cost Noah's Ark approximately £100,000 per year" says CEO, Sophie Andrews OBE. "Despite this, we are committed to continuing our care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions." Noah's Ark Children's Hospice says that no services are being immediately impacted. "However, this unbudgeted cost places additional strain on our ability to grow and scale our services to reach more babies, children, and young people, and their families." In 2024/25 it cost £7.1million to run the hospice – which provides paediatric palliative care via specialist nurses and carers, creative therapies, a specialist play team, and a Holiday Lodge in Mersea Island, Essex – services which already rely heavily on voluntary income. Katie and Tom Morsbach's daughter Leia is six-years-old. A big sister to brothers Robin and Dylan, Leia has mitochondrial disease and severe epilepsy. Katie and Tom are opera singers. Tom donated one of his kidneys to Leia. ‌ In 2019, the Great Ormond Street Palliative Care Team referred the family to Noah's Ark Children's Hospice. "The MRI came back at GOSH, and it was pretty bad." Katie, 37, says. "The palliative care team was in the room with us pretty much straight away, and we were handed leaflets for the hospice. It's a grieving process. You have all these hopes and dreams for your children and in one fell swoop it goes out of the window. "Leia is amazing, she's always smiling, she loves life. She has been through a lot – she's had dozens of operations and spent months at a time in hospital. She has taught us to value things in life and to make the most of the present day. We were told she had just months to live but she's beaten all expectations. ‌ "In the beginning we felt isolated, it was just awful, I couldn't even talk to my best friend or family because they didn't understand. My issues were different to other first-time mums, so chatting to parents at the hospice is a relief, it's good for your mental health. Sometimes you feel like you're going crazy, but you're not, you're just dealing with things that are really difficult. We have a hospice family link worker, who I can call up for a chat." Katie, who runs a singing and drama school, adds: "When we first heard the word, 'hospice', it sounded horrible, but when Leia attended her first music therapy session, it felt so positive – it isn't what I imagined a hospice to be. Noah's Ark supports my whole family. It is not a luxury, the hospice is a lifeline, they've helped us in good and difficult times. I think people are shocked when they hear it costs something like £18k a day to run, but if you think about the breadth of services they run, not just at the hospice, but in homes too. ‌ "I've made lots of friends, we attend mum's evening, dad night's out, my boys have made friends with other siblings. If I'm totally honest, Noah's Ark is the most important place with the most important people for us. We moved house to be closer. They give us the opportunity to create amazing memories. I've been able to leave Leia there, when I gave birth to the boys, because they can provide the specialist care Leia needs. A good few times a year, we use their respite service." Ruby's dad Simon says he and his partner Helen, 44, a commissioner for health and social care services in London, can't imagine life without Noah's Ark Children's Hospice. "Due to Ruby's severe complex needs, we're really limited on what we can do," he says. "So, we spend a lot of time here, she absolutely loves it. "They have an amazing playground that allows you to wheel the wheelchairs onto the swing, they host events, there is a play team and soft play. One of Ruby's highlights was playing on the trampoline with an Arsenal player, and she's played a bit of football with Tottenham Hotspur's women's team. Noah's Ark has a huge bank of great volunteers who come into the home, it allows me to wash up, put the laundry on and cook. The only time we feel safe leaving Ruby is with Noah's Ark or at school." ‌ A government spokesperson said: "The government recognises the incredible work that children and young people's hospices do across the country. We are investing £100 million to improve hospices' facilities and a further £26 million specifically for children's hospices this year, the biggest investment in hospices in a generation. We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long term. The decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions allowed us to increase investment in health and care by £26 billion this year." Helen says the hospice is invaluable. "We use the respite service, Ruby loves it, and for us that two-day weekend is so valuable, it allows us to be us and not carers. We spent 24 hours just sleeping and recovering, we can enjoy a meal out or the cinema and feel normal. Without the hospice we would be a wreck, and miserable." She adds: "Ruby is such a happy, sociable little girl, who loves joking around. Her care is exhausting, there is no let-up, but her smile makes it all worth-while. Before Noah's Ark, all we could see was a negative future. Now we're happy again, we smile."