Can an MRI Scan Detect Early Signs of Prostate Cancer?

A prostate MRI scan is a safe, painless and non-invasive way to assess the health of your prostate. This can be as part of a general health screening or to investigate prostate symptoms.

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that sits underneath the bladder in men. It produces the fluid that nourishes and helps transport sperm in semen.

As an MRI scan produces highly detailed images of the inside of your body and can detect subtle differences between and within tissues, it is useful for diagnosing prostate cancer. It can even diagnose prostate cancer before you notice any symptoms.

Here, we will explore the symptoms of prostate cancer, how an MRI scan can detect prostate cancer cells and how to prepare for your private prostate scan. We will also discuss the benefits of early detection and other tests used to diagnose prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Understanding the Early Signs of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms in its early stages. This means prostate MRI scans, as part of a regular health assessment, can make all the difference when it comes to early detection.

The reason prostate cancer does not usually cause issues in its early stages is due to where the tumour usually starts to grow.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra – the tube through which urine leaves the body. If a tumour starts growing close to the urethra, it can push against it and cause urinary symptoms early in the progression of the cancer.

However, in most cases, a tumour will develop in the outer parts of the prostate. As such, it will only cause symptoms once it is large enough to push against the urethra.

Common Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

As prostate cancer progresses, symptoms develop that mostly affect the urinary system.

They include:

sudden urges to urinate
urinating more often (especially at night)
difficulty starting to urinate
weak urine flow
straining to urinate
taking longer than usual to urinate
dribbling urine after you have finished
feeling as if your bladder is not completely empty after you have urinated.

You may also notice blood in your urine and/or semen.

It is important to note that the initial urinary symptoms of prostate cancer also occur in a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is more commonly known as an enlarged prostate.

In more advanced stages of prostate cancer, when the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland, you may develop bone pain, back pain, pain in your testicles, unintentional weight loss and a loss of appetite.

Can an MRI Scan Detect Prostate Cancer?

MRI scans capture detailed images of the inside of your body due to the presence of water in your tissues.

Using powerful magnets, an MRI scanner generates a magnetic field around your body. This magnetic field affects small particles called protons in the hydrogen atoms that make up the water molecules in your body. Specifically, the magnetic field causes the protons to line up in the same direction.

Then, as the MRI machine sends out bursts of radio waves, the protons are knocked out of alignment. Once this has happened, the protons line up again due to the magnetic field. This releases energy, which is picked up as signals by sensors in the MRI machine.

Different tissues release slightly different signals depending on how quickly the protons realign and how much energy is released. This allows the scans to create high-resolution images that show subtle differences in tissues. This may include any abnormal growths.

Prostate MRI scans can, therefore, show whether you have normal prostate tissue.

Or help diagnose whether you have prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate or another prostate condition. This could include prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate.

However, it is important to note that if a prostate MRI scan suggests the presence of prostate cancer, you may still need to have a prostate biopsy. This is the collection of a tissue sample to confirm the prostate cancer diagnosis.

MRI Techniques for Prostate Cancer Detection

If your doctor suspects that you have prostate cancer based on your symptoms, they may recommend a specific type of prostate MRI scan called a multiparametric (mp) MRI scan.

This scan combines 4 different types of images to capture even more detailed images of the inside of your body than a standard MRI scan. Recent research has shown that an mpMRI scan reduces the need for biopsies. This is because it can differentiate between prostate cancer that does not need treatment and prostate cancer that is likely to need treatment.

Prostate cancer is often slow-growing, which is why it does not always need treatment and can instead be closely monitored. As mpMRI scans can help determine which type of prostate cancer is present, they can help avoid the need for a prostate biopsy in cases where treatment is not yet needed.

When a biopsy is needed, mpMRI improves the accuracy of tissue collection.

How to Prepare for a Prostate MRI Scan

Most often, a contrast agent called gadolinium is needed to improve the clarity of the images captured during a prostate MRI scan. This requires that you fast for 4 hours preceding your scan. You should, therefore, not eat any food during this time but you can still drink clear fluids.

When you arrive for your prostate scan, you will need to fill in a health questionnaire to confirm it is safe for you to have the scan.

You will then be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove any metal items from your body. This could include hair accessories, jewellery, piercings and medical devices (eg glucose monitors and tethered insulin pumps).

Your care team will explain exactly what will happen during and after your scan.

Discussing Your Results With Your Doctor

After your prostate MRI scan, a report, including images, will be put together by a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions using medical imaging (a radiologist). At Vista Health, we aim to deliver all reports within 3 working days of having your scan.

Your MRI report will be sent to you, your GP and any specialist doctor involved in your care. During a follow-up appointment with a doctor, your results will be explained to you. You will also receive advice on whether any treatment is needed and what your options are for next steps.

Benefits of the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer With MRI Scans

Prostate cancer can be categorised into 4 stages based on its progression. The earlier the stage of prostate cancer when it is detected, the greater the chance of successful treatment.

At stages 1 and 2, almost all individuals survive for at least 5 years with appropriate prostate cancer treatment. At stage 3, around 95% of individuals survive for at least 5 years with appropriate treatment. However, at stage 4, the five-year survival rate with treatment drops to 50%.

As prostate cancer often produces no symptoms in its early stages, taking a preventative approach to your prostate health can be key to early detection. This is where private prostate MRI scans can help. It can give you peace of mind over your prostate health before any concerning symptoms develop.

Other Diagnostic Tools for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed through multiple tests. This may start with a urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI) as a cause for your symptoms.

Your doctor may also perform a physical examination of your prostate called a digital rectal examination (digital, in this context, refers to the digits of the hand). This involves the careful insertion of a gloved, lubricated finger via your anus. The doctor will then check for any abnormal lumps or growths within your prostate.

Your doctor will also recommend a blood test that measures levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA levels rise naturally with age and, consequently, your PSA levels will be measured against what is considered healthy for someone of your age.

Prostate cancer raises PSA levels, but PSA levels can also rise due to a UTI, BPH and prostatitis. This is why a PSA test is not a definitive test for prostate cancer.

If your PSA levels are raised beyond what is normal for someone of your age, your doctor may recommend a prostate MRI scan. Depending on the results of your prostate MRI scan, you may then need to have a prostate biopsy. The tissue sample will be tested in a lab and this will confirm whether you have prostate cancer.

Get Proactive With Your Prostate Health

When it comes to your prostate health, you can stay proactive with regular health check-ups with Vista Health. Our Vista Prostate Health Assessment includes a PSA blood test and prostate MRI scan, alongside expert insights from our experienced GPs via a virtual consultation.

To make your prostate health a priority, book your private prostate MRI scan today.