Faster, Cheaper MRI Scan Could Transform Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

A quicker, cheaper MRI scan has been shown to be just as accurate as the current 30–40 minute version at diagnosing prostate cancer, according to a major international trial led by UCL, UCLH and the University of Birmingham.

The PRIME trial, published in JAMA and funded by the John Black Charitable Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK, found that a streamlined two-part MRI scan—lasting only 15–20 minutes—performed just as well as the standard three-part scan, while reducing the need for a doctor to be present.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with around 56,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths annually in the UK. MRI scanning has revolutionized diagnosis in the past decade, allowing targeted biopsies when abnormalities are found and sparing many men unnecessary procedures when results are normal.

However, access to MRI remains limited worldwide. Only 62% of men needing a prostate MRI in England and Wales received one in 2019, while just 35% of U.S. patients received one in 2022.

“Currently around four million MRI scans are needed each year globally to diagnose prostate cancer. This demand is set to rise rapidly,” said Associate Professor Veeru Kasivisvanathan, lead investigator of the trial. “If we can do the scan in up to half the time, with fewer staff and at lower cost, that will make a huge difference in allowing every man who needs a scan to get one in a timely fashion.”

The trial, conducted across 22 hospitals in 12 countries, tested the two-part “biparametric” MRI against the standard three-part “multiparametric” MRI, which includes the injection of a dye. Results showed both methods detected cancer in 29% of patients.

“The three-part MRI has been a game-changer,” said Associate Professor Francesco Giganti, a lead radiologist on the study. “But the contrast stage requires time, staff, and can cause mild side effects. Being able to diagnose without it will help us scan more men with the same resources.”

Dr Matthew Hobbs, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK, called the findings “a hugely important step in the right direction.”