Accuracy of a new echographic method (RULES, radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators) in prostate cancer diagnosis
Bertaccini, A.; Franceschelli, A.; Schiavina, R.; Marchiori, D.; Baccos, A.; Pernetti, R.; Granchi, S.; Biagi, E.; Masotti, L.; Martorana, G.
Anticancer Research 28(3b): 1883-1886
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 18630475 Document Number: 617821
Background: This study evaluated the accuracy of a new echographic method named RULES (radiofiequency ultrasonic local estimators) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: A double-blind prospective study was carried out on 105 patients mean age 66.6 years, prostate specific antigen (PSA) >4 ng/ml with clinical and/or biochemical suspicious of prostate cancer. Pateients were submitted to transrectal prostate biopsy (8 to 12 cores) using a traditional echograph connected to a new hardware/software platform named FEMMINA (fast echographic multiparameter multi image novel apparatus) that processes the echo signal by a RULES (radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators) algorithm. Histological findings were compared to B-mode and RULES modality. Results: Cancer was detected in 32/105 patients, of which 26/32 were determined as positive with the RULES method. RULES had better positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than B-mode. Conclusion: Results obtained with RULES are encouraging and, if further confirmed, could help to reduce the number of unnecessary prostatic biopsies.