FUSION BIOPSY

While traditional biopsies use an ultrasound image to guide the needle, fusion biopsy “fuses” MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with ultrasound. Most health insurance plans cover fusion biopsy. 

In this method, the patient first has an MRI scan, which a radiologist reviews to mark any irregular areas. Later, the doctor inserts an ultrasound probe in the patient’s rectum to produce ultrasound images. Advanced software overlays the MRI image with the ultrasound view to guide the doctor in inserting needles precisely into suspicious areas. 

Fusion biopsy still misses cancer, but is better than other methods at finding and diagnosing prostate tumors that need treatment. The tumors it misses tend to be the ones that don’t need treatment. Fusion biopsy is an option mostly for men who have had prior negative biopsies or have had small amounts of cancer identified.