Artemis technology for prostate cancer imaging and detection

Using the latest digital imaging and tools, including the “smart” Artemis prostate biopsy, physicians and surgeons in Urology at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven evaluate and diagnose prostate problems to create the best treatment plan for a successful outcome. The new technology and expertise makes it possible to visualize a prostate tumor within the gland, improving its detection, location and staging.

The revolutionary Artemis targeted biopsy procedure combines high-resolution ultrasound technology with 3D MRI imaging, allowing the urologic surgeon, with the help of diagnostic radiologists, to overlap the images for a more precise biopsy. That means patients can receive an accurate prostate biopsy in an outpatient visit to identify areas in the organ that may be cancerous. This technique has been shown to have a much higher cancer detection rate than standard biopsy. It brings together expertise in urology, pathology, radiology and engineering.

This technology lets urologists:

• combine the MRI scan with live ultrasound images of the prostate to create a 3D map showing the exact size, location and shape of suspicious prostate tumors
• plan, navigate and record a prostate biopsy with pinpoint accuracy 
• spare the patient multiple random biopsies by tracking where previous positive biopsies were taken, allowing for selective re-sampling in specific areas 

Patients may be a candidate for this if they have had:

• an abnormal clinical exam 
• a continually high PSA (blood test to detect prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate that may indicate a risk of prostate cancer) over time
• a previous negative biopsy with an ongoing high PSA

Diagnosis is just the first step in prostate cancer treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Working with a team of specialty physicians, we coordinate the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment to provide each patient with a personalized care program.