In the past, diagnosing prostate cancer was limited by technology, often leading to uncertainty and invasive, sometimes unnecessary, biopsies. Today, advanced imaging like the Multiparametric Prostate MRI (mpMRI) has revolutionized our ability to detect, diagnose, and monitor prostate cancer with remarkable precision.
The quality of the MRI scan itself is absolutely critical for an accurate diagnosis. To ensure his patients receive the highest quality imaging available, Dr. Bevan-Thomas works closely with the expert radiologists at Gateway Imaging. This vital partnership ensures that the data from every scan is clear, precise, and provides the best possible foundation for making confident medical decisions.
A Multiparametric Prostate MRI is a sophisticated imaging procedure that creates highly detailed, three-dimensional images of your prostate gland without using any radiation.
Unlike a standard MRI, a "multiparametric" scan combines several different MRI techniques in one session. Each technique assesses a different characteristic of the prostate tissue, including its anatomy, the density of its cells, and its blood flow. By combining this data, the radiologist can identify and characterize suspicious areas with a much higher degree of accuracy than ever before.
Dr. Bevan-Thomas may recommend a
Multiparametric MRI in several key situations:
Elevated or Rising PSA: If your PSA levels are high or increasing, an mpMRI can help determine if the cause is a suspicious lesion that needs a biopsy, or a benign condition.
To Guide a Biopsy (MRI Fusion): The mpMRI provides a detailed “map” of the prostate, which is used to perform an MRI-Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy, allowing Dr. Bevan-Thomas to target the exact suspicious areas.
Active Surveillance: For patients with low-risk prostate cancer, periodic mpMRI scans are used to monitor the tumor without requiring frequent, invasive biopsies.
Cancer Staging: An mpMRI can help determine if a diagnosed cancer is confined to the prostate or has spread to nearby tissues.
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Lying still in an MRI machine can be challenging for some patients. To make your experience as comfortable as possible, Dr. Bevan-Thomas offers these pro tips based on years of patient feedback:
Communicate with Your Tech: Your MRI technologist is your partner in the process. Talk to them about any concerns you have.
Know the Timing: You don’t have to stay perfectly motionless for 45 minutes straight. The scan is broken into 5- to 7-minute segments. You can make small adjustments to your position in between these short sessions.
Take a Mental Vacation: Use the time to your advantage. Replay your favorite memories in vivid detail, like finally beating your neighbor at pickleball, or the feeling of landing in Hawaii for the first time. When your mind is truly engaged elsewhere, the time passes surprisingly quickly.
Ask for Help if You Need It: If you are feeling particularly anxious, let our office know ahead of time. We can prescribe a medication like Valium to help you relax before the scan.
The scan itself is painless. You will lie still on a table that slides into the MRI machine. The machine can be noisy, but you will be provided with earplugs or headphones.
Yes. The contrast agent used (gadolinium) is very safe and has a much lower risk of allergic reaction compared to the iodine-based contrast used in CT scans.
Typically, the detailed report from the radiologist is available within a few business days, and our office will contact you to schedule a follow-up consultation with Dr. Bevan-Thomas to review them.
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Dr. Rich Bevan-Thomas is a founding member or Urology Partners of North Texas.
801 West I-20, suite 1
Arlington, TX 76017
First Floor USMD Hospital Arlington
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