News

January 8, 2018

Norwood Hospital Introduces More Accurate Diagnostic Testing for Prostate Cancer

Norwood Hospital Introduces More Accurate Diagnostic Testing for Prostate Cancer

NORWOOD MA, January 8, 2018 - Norwood Hospital now offers patients improved testing for more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer. 3D MRI/Ultrasound Fusion biopsy takes images from a pre-exam MRI of the prostate, and fuses them with real-time ultrasound images, creating high-definition 3D color images that enable physicians to accurately target abnormal tissue during an ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Men with elevated PSA levels are monitored by urologists, and if levels remain elevated or continue to rise, they are sent for biopsies of prostate tissue. Biopsies have historically been a challenge because physicians could not see the specific location of abnormal tissue. As a result approximately 25% of patients receive negative biopsy results, even though their PSA level remains elevated or continues to rise, indicating that a problem is present.

“Fusion biopsy is an advanced technology for prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and active surveillance of prostate cancer,” says Board Certified Urologist, Micah Hemani, MD. “The use of fusion biopsy will help us find significant cancers earlier that need treatment and allow us to confidently follow prostate cancers that are not life-threatening.”

Norwood Hospital introduced this revolutionary technology to patients in December of 2017. “We are pleased to offer our patients a highly accurate method for detection of prostate cancers,” says Kim Bassett, President of Norwood Hospital. “Earlier detection of prostate cancer, as with all cancers, is important because the earlier it is detected, the sooner treatment is administered and the better the outcome for our patients.”