2023-10-22 16:01:28
MRI Scans Can Help Predict Complications for Prostate Cancer Patients
New research suggests that the length of a man’s urethra could be a key factor in determining the risk of complications after radiation treatment for prostate cancer. A study from Corewell Health has found that men with a longer prostatic urethra are more likely to experience moderate to chronic urinary side effects following radiation therapy. However, a simple MRI scan may now provide a solution to identify these risk factors in advance.
Previous studies have struggled to identify factors that could indicate the likelihood of urinary side effects. This latest research indicates that every centimeter increase in the length of the urethra in MRI scans of 361 men leads to a 60% increase in the likelihood of problems such as frequent urination. Patients with a urethra length of more than 4.6 centimeters were almost twice as likely to develop these symptoms.
Dr. Kiran Nandalur, the principal investigator of the study and a radiologist at Corewell Health, suggests that the increased risk may be due to the urethra being more exposed to radiation doses, resulting in direct inflammation. While around 28% of participants experienced chronic, moderate urinary side effects after three years, less than 3% experienced severe complications.
Until now, there have been few known risk factors for complications from radiation therapy, making it challenging for doctors to assess individual risks accurately. However, the use of MRI technology may offer a breakthrough in understanding and predicting these side effects.
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer and is generally considered safe. However, severe side effects can have a significant impact on the quality of life for patients. Dr. Nandalur believes that the novel MRI metric developed in this study can help patients understand their risk of developing such complications in advance. This knowledge will allow them to make more informed decisions about treatment options that optimize their quality of life.
Additionally, the study’s findings highlight the need for better protection of the urethra area during radiation therapy. Further research may identify ways to reduce the occurrence of side effects and improve patient outcomes.
This article is based on a press release from Corewell Health. The original study can be found here. For more urology topics, follow the channel “Tube peeps.” Image source: petr sidorov, Unsplash.]
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