Advanced Technology To Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

New, sophisticated system combines MRI with ultrasound for more accurate prostate biopsies

Garnet Health Medical Center, formerly Orange Regional Medical Center, now offers innovative technology, the UroNav, which enhances the ability to diagnose and treat prostate cancer earlier.

The UroNav Fusion Biopsy System combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the prostate with ultrasound-guided 3-D images in real time, allowing for precise imaging of the prostate and any abnormal changes (lesions) that may or may not be cancerous.

“When we are able to see the prostate in this way, we can identify suspicious areas easier, and then target them for biopsy,” said Garnet Health Doctors Urologist Samuel Abourbih, who leads the prostate biopsy program at Garnet Health Medical Center. “The quality of this imaging enables us to get the most accurate results, and guide the most effective treatment plan if cancer is found.”

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer. When caught early, it is highly treatable.

The UroNav fusion biopsy system combines electromagnetic tracking and navigation, similar to a GPS navigation system, with an onboard computer and a real-time imaging interface in one easy-to-use, mobile workstation. A small, localized electromagnetic field is generated and used in conjunction with a navigation sensor mounted to the existing ultrasound transducer. The physician positions the navigation system above the patient and can utilize UroNav’s guided workflow. This workflow follows the same Transrectal Ulstrasound (TRUS) biopsy procedure urologists already use which is used to produce detailed images of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues.

Benefits of UroNav include:

• A 3-D view of the prostate, clarity that is otherwise unavailable – reducing the risk of overlooking a tumor
• Improved diagnosis accuracy, which leads to better treatment options and outcomes
• Incorporation of a GPS-like system to guide the biopsy needle to suspicious areas
• Reduces the number of tissue samples taken from the prostate
• Reduces discomfort and gives peace of mind for patient
• Targeted biopsies help to eliminate the need for multiple, random (or blind) biopsies
• Targeted biopsies may help to detect aggressive tumors that could have been missed with a blind biopsy

“We are committed to using the latest innovations in technology to provide our patients with the highest quality of care,” Garnet Health Doctors President Gerard Galarneau, MD said. “The UroNav Fusion Biopsy System allows urologists to identify, target and diagnose prostate lesions quickly and with precision.”

For more information, please call Garnet Health Doctors at 845-333-7575 or visit garnethealth.org.