Liquid biopsy vs. Transperineal

[Longrunner]

Is liquid biopsy ever used as an alternative to transperineal biopsy for diagnosis and guide to follow up treatment?

I don’t want to go down a research ‘rabbit hole’ if there is current scientific consensus on its diagnostic value and treatment guidance for Prostate cancer

I already have more than enough to ask my urology oncologist before I schedule my necessary biopsy! Thanks in advance for everyone’s knowledge and experience

[Tall_Allen]

Do you mean the Sentinel Prostate Test done on urine? Let us know if you can get it and what it costs.

mirscientific.com/

I haven't heard from any patients who have used it instead of a biopsy.

[maley2711 in reply to Tall_Allen]

MIR does not make any claim that their 4 risk categories are any more predictive of future metastasis than are the Gleason scores, correct?

[Tall_Allen in reply to maley2711]

The NCCN risk categories predict for recurrence. Sentinel correctly identifies the risk categories.

[Longrunner in reply to Tall_Allen]

🤔 Is it the case that Sentinel identifies risk categories with greater specificity and accuracy than a transperineal biopsy or is a diagnostic tool used in addition to a biopsy.?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Longrunner]

The risk categories are defined by biopsy, so it can't be better than the definition.

[Longrunner in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you very much. I am going in the wrong direction. Your referral in another post to the NCCN Guidelines is very much appreciated. I have been fumbling around to determine and understand the next step in my diagnosis.

[davenj]

Based on this 2018 article, more testing is still required.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...

[Currumpaw in reply to davenj]

Nice davenj,

You posted what needed to be read!

I believe I came close to having this very test just before it was shut down. I knew the test was on borrowed time and if there were questions about it's accuracy I was not going to spend hundreds for suspect results.

If this type of testing can be refined it would certainly be more accurate than the biopsy needle.

The most accurate test today for prostate cancer is a pathology report on a removed prostate.

Currumpaw

[Longrunner in reply to Currumpaw]

Agreed. It’s dropped from my radar. Thanks.