Could Magnetic Resonance Imaging Help to Identify the Presence of Prostate Cancer Before Initial Biopsy? The Development of Nomogram Predicting the Outcomes of Prostate Biopsy in the Chinese Population

Purpose This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) before transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy. Methods The clinical data of 894 patients who received TRUS-guided biopsy and prior MRI test from a large Chinese center was reviewed. Based on Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scoring, all MRIs were re-reviewed and assigned as Grade 0–2 (PI-RADS 1–2; PI-RADS 3; PI-RADS 4–5). We constructed two models both in predicting PCa and HGPCa (Gleason score ≥ 4 + 3): Model 1 with MRI and Model 2 without MRI. Other clinical factors include age, digital rectal examination, PSA, free-PSA, volume, and TRUS. Results PCa and HGPCa were present in 434 (48.5 %) and 218 (24.4 %) patients. An MRI Grade 0, 1, and 2 were assigned in 324 (36.2 %), 193 (21.6 %) and 377 (42.2 %) patients, which was associated with the presence of PCa ( p < 0.001) and HGPCa ( p < 0.001). Particularly in patients aged ≤55 years, the assignment of MRI Grade 0 was correlated with extremely low rate of PCa (1/27) and no HGPCa. The c -statistic of Model 1 and Model 2 for predicting PCa was 0.875 and 0.841 ( Z = 4.2302, p < 0.001), whereas for predicting HGPCa was 0.872 and 0.850 ( Z = 3.265, p = 0.001). Model 1 exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity at same cutoffs, and decision-curve analysis also suggested the favorable clinical utility of Model 1. Conclusions Prostate MRI before biopsy could predict the presence of PCa and HGPCa, especially in younger patients. The incorporation of MRI in nomograms could increase predictive accuracy.