Clinical Application of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation Score for Reporting Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

Jan Aerts; Sigi Hendrickx; Camille Berquin; Nicolaas Lumen; Sofie Verbeke; Geert Villeirs; Charles Van Praet; Pieter De Visschere

doi:10.1016/j.euros.2023.08.006

Clinical Application of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation Score for Reporting Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

Eur Urol Open Sci. 2023 Sep 11:56:39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2023.08.006. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Authors

Jan Aerts¹, Sigi Hendrickx², Camille Berquin¹, Nicolaas Lumen¹, Sofie Verbeke³, Geert Villeirs², Charles Van Praet¹, Pieter De Visschere²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
² Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
³ Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Abstract

Background: The Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) score has been developed to standardise prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporting in men on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of PRECISE scoring and assess its diagnostic accuracy.

Design setting and participants: All PCa patients on AS with a baseline MRI and at least one follow-up MRI scan between January 2008 and September 2022 at a single tertiary referral centre were included in a database. The follow-up protocol of the Prostate Cancer International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study was used. All scans were retrospectively re-reported by a dedicated uroradiologist and appointed a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (version 2.1) and PRECISE score.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Clinically significant progression was defined by histopathological upgrading (on biopsy or radical prostatectomy) to grade group ≥3 and/or evolution to T3 stage. A survival analysis was performed to assess differential progression-free survival (PFS) according to the PRECISE score.

Results and limitations: A total of 188 patients were included for an analysis with a total of 358 repeat MRI scans and 144 repeat biopsies. The median follow-up was 46 mo (interquartile range 21-74). Radiological progression (PRECISE 4-5) had sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of, respectively, 78%, 70%, 90%, and 49% for clinically significant progression. Four-year PFS was 91% for PRECISE 1-3 versus 66% for PRECISE 4-5 (p < 0.001). In total, 137 patients underwent a confirmation MRI scan within 18 mo after diagnosis. Four-year PFS in this group was 81% for PRECISE 1-3 versus 43% for PRECISE 4-5 (p < 0.001). Limitations include retrospective design and no strict adherence to AS protocol.

Conclusions: Implementation of PRECISE scoring for PCa patients on AS is feasible and offers a prognostic value. Patients with PRECISE score 4-5 on confirmation MRI within 18 mo after diagnosis have a three-fold higher risk of clinically significant progression after 4 yr.

Patient summary: Patients with low-risk prostate cancer can be followed up carefully. In this study, we evaluate the standardised reporting of repeat magnetic resonance imaging scans (using the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation [PRECISE] recommendations). PRECISE scoring is feasible and helps identify patients in need of further treatment.

Keywords: Active surveillance; Follow-up; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation; Prostate cancer.