MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy for diagnosis of prostate cancer

30 April 2021

Published on 30 Apr 2021
Last Updated on 30 Apr 2021

Guidance Recommendation

The Ministry of Health’s Medical Technology Advisory Committee has recommended:

Magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion targeted biopsy alone or combined with non-targeted biopsy may be considered for the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer in men aged 18 years or older:
- Who are suspected of having prostate cancer due to persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4ng/ml or more, abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE), or if clinical suspicion of prostate cancer persists; and
- Who have had a positive pre-biopsy multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) with Prostate Imaging – Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) 3 to 5 lesions;
mpMRI should be performed and assessed using PIRADS scores consistent with the prevailing version of standards; and
MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy should not be used in patients with contraindications to mpMRI or have known metastatic prostate cancer.

Subsidies should apply to MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy in the initial and repeat biopsy settings, in line with stated recommendations.