29-11-2010 A Quantum Leap in Prostate Diagnostics

Bremen, 29 November 2010 – MeVis Medical Solutions AG, a leading company in a leading company in medical imaging software, today again highlighted the savings potential of the DynaCAD® prostate solution for MR-supported prostate diagnostics, developed in partnership with Invivo Corp. With approximately 26% of all new cancer incidences, prostate carcinomas form the most frequent malignant tumours in men. Around 64,000 new cases per year occur in Germany, with more than 11,500 deaths. In the western world it stands in second place on the list of all cancer-related deaths in men (after lung cancer). Determining the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level in the blood is one of the most frequently performed preventative measures, with a final work-up using tissue extraction (prostate biopsy) following. Such biopsies are currently extracted for the most part from the rectum (trans-rectally) using ultrasound tech-nology. Cases in which tissue extraction brings no results while the PSA level simultaneously increases are problematic. Further biopsies are then required. For this reason Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has recently found increased application in prostate diagnostics.

The “DynaCAD® for Prostate” software encompasses the Diagnostic Support, Reporting / Documentation and Intervention Planning segments, and thereby contributes to considerable improvement in the presentation and communication of diagnostic data, as well as to a significantly more effective histological work-up. DynaCAD for Prostate was brought onto the worldwide market in 2009 by Invivo Corp., and is the first system in which both MR scans and MR-guided biopsies are used for the diagnosis of prostate carcinomas. Currently it is the only system that allows for MR-guided interventional planning. Other systems have until now exclusively offered diagnostic support; biopsies have had to be carried out using ultrasound testing - without direct correlation with the diagnostic information obtained by MR scans.

In diagnosing prostate carcinomas using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a contrast medium is used and dynamic volume data sets are recorded in which the tumour is distinguishable through comparisons with changed circulation characteristics in healthy tissue. In addition to qualitative parameters such as so-called “wash-out” in breast cancer diagnostics, these im-ages also allow quantitative parameters such as extracellular volumes to be determined, which can be linked immediately to the micro-physiology of tumours. Using this, very precise characterization and localization of small tumours (5 mm) is possible. In this way the physi-cian can carry out targeted tissue extraction and significantly increase the certainty of the diagnosis. On the one hand the number of false-positive findings by dynamic Prostate MRI is reduced. At the same time the good spatial resolution of MRI delivers improved localization of suspect areas. These can then be biopsied quickly and precisely with the aid of the interventional planning software.

The shorter period of treatment in particular means considerable relief for the patient. Precise localization reduces the number of tests needed and thereby the probability of complications, and minimises pain during treatment. One example of the savings potential is given by the high “Negative Predictive Value” of MR inspection: if the MR inspection fails, the probability of no carcinoma being present increases above 75%. Through the biopsies and follow-up costs saved, this solution results in a yearly healthcare savings potential of ca. EUR 9 million in Germany alone.

Further information in German is available for download at: http://www.einsparpotenzial-medizintechnik.de/downloads/studien/2010_DynaCad.pdf

MeVis Medical Solutions AG was founded in 1997 and is one of the world’s leading independent manufacturers and vendors of medical imaging software with focus on dedicated, disease-oriented clinical applications. Over the past few years, there has been an enormous increase in the complexity and volume of medical imaging data derived from digital imaging processes such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). MeVis Group’s products analyze and process this data in such a way as to provide medical professionals with crucial information for early detection, diagnosis and intervention in the areas of cancer and lung diseases as well as neurological conditions. The Group develops its software solutions in close consultation with the world’s leading medical experts and original equipment makers in the medical technology sector and primarily markets this software via these partnerships.