Improved initial diagnosis and localisation of prostate cancer

Why we funded it

Decision-making following a diagnosis of prostate cancer is a very stressful time for many men, made worse by the added the uncertainty around current diagnostic tools. Improvements to the accuracy of diagnosis will aid decision-making, and improved staging and localisation will assist with more accurate and successful treatment.

This project will be highly beneficial to men if successful, allowing them to be better informed over the prognosis of their cancer, and thus allowing more confidence in their decision-making for treatment of the cancer.

Scientific title

Improved initial diagnosis and localisation of prostate cancer through MRI and ultrasound data fusion

Research project summary

This proposal aims to test if combining MRI with ultrasound information can improve the initial diagnosis and localisation of prostate cancer. This will lead to improved cancer staging, improved localisation of biopsies and improved therapy.

It is expected that these aspects will be beneficial to men affected by prostate cancer as follows: improvements in staging will lead to improved decisions about treatment; improved biopsies could reduce the number of biopsies and increase the accuracy of diagnosis from those taken; improvements in treatment could be in the form of better targeting during radiotherapy and/or a better understanding of how cancer is affected by treatment.

Grant information

Institution - University of Aberystwyth
Researcher - Professor Reyer Zwiggelaar
Grant award - £60,010
Duration - 2011-2014
Reference - S10-01 Zwiggelaar