Surface-Based Ultrasound Scans for the Screening of Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Surface-based ultrasound (SUS) systems have undergone substantial improvement over the years in image quality, ease-of-use, and reduction in size. Their ability to image organs non-invasively makes them a prime technology for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases and conditions. An example is the screening/risk- stratification of prostate cancer (PCa) using prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD). Current literature predominantly focuses on prostate volume (PV) estimation techniques that make use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging, while SUS techniques are largely overlooked. If a reliable SUS PCa screening method can be introduced, patients may be able to forgo unnecessary MRI or TRUS scans. Such a screening procedure could be introduced into standard primary care settings with point-of-care ultrasound systems available at a fraction of the cost of their larger hospital counterparts. This review analyses whether literature suggests it is possible to use SUS-derived PV in the calculation of PSAD.