To improve early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, the American College of Radiology (ACR), the AdMeTech Foundation, and the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) have formed a joint effort to expedite the development of standards for the Magnetic Resonance Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (MR PI-RADS).
The goal is to expedite the transfer of high-quality MRI from laboratories to patients to address major needs in prostate cancer care, thus reducing unnecessary biopsies and treatment.
MR PI-RADS is modeled after a similar effort in breast cancer care and will be based on prostate MRI guidelines developed by ESUR and work by the AdMeTech Foundation's International Prostate MRI Working Group.
Overdiagnosis and overtreatment associated with current prostate cancer screening (such as prostate-specific antigen testing) have been highlighted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society, and other groups. MR PI-RADS is expected to be completed and ready for distribution in early 2013.
