Significance of Hypoechoic Lesions in the Irradiated Prostate

Management of radiation failure for localized prostate cancer

“…33,34 Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) has been investigated in the postradiated prostate. Although it has been shown by some that persistent foci of malignancy retained their hypoechoic appearance after radiation and successfully treated areas reverted to isoechogenecity, 35,36 this has not been the universal experience as shown by Kabalin et al, 5 showing 65% of biopsied sectors were positive. Nevertheless, TRUS is valuable as a guidance tool to enhance detection of recurrence, as clearly illustrated by Egawa et al 37 showing 67% detection rate compared to the 22% for the digital biopsies.…”