Discouraging MRI Report
Not the MRI I was hoping for……and words of advice. I’ve gone from a pirads 2 with no lesions to this in one year. PSA currently 8.8. Feeling a little devastated after all my efforts seem to have failed.
Impression
IMPRESSION: 1. At least 4 regions of concern on a background of relatively diffuse signal abnormality of the peripheral gland of the prostate, with the highest PI-RADS category: 5. 2. No pelvic lymphadenopathy by size criteria. 3. Additional chronic findings as described. PI-RADS v2.1 is designed to predict the probability of a cancer which is deemed clinically significant as defined by: pathology/histology Gleason score greater than or equal to 7 (including 3+4 with prominent but not predominant Gleason 4 component), and/or volume greater than 0.5cc, and/or extraprostatic extension (EPE). PI-RADS v2.1 Assessment Categories: PI-RADS 1: Very low (clinically significant cancer is highly unlikely to be present) PI-RADS 2: Low (clinically significant cancer is unlikely to present) PI-RADS 3: Indeterminate (the presence of clinically significant cancer is equivocal) PI-RADS 4: High (clinically significant cancers likely to be present) PI-RADS 5: Very high (clinically significant is highly likely to be present) http://www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Resources/PIRADS/ Dictated by: Will G Larison, M.D. on 9/22/2026 9:08 AM PDT Electronically signed by: Will G Larison, M.D. on 9/22/2026 9:33 AM PDT
Narrative
MRI PROSTATE W WO CONTRAST CLINICAL INFORMATION: Elevated PSA. COMPARISON: 10/6/2025 TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence 3T MR imaging of the pelvis performed without and with intravenous contrast utilizing the prostate protocol. Dynamic contrast enhanced series as well as multiple B-value diffusion-weighted series with ADC mapping were acquired. CONTRAST: 9 mL of intravenous Gadavist (Gadobutrol). FINDINGS: LIMITATIONS: None. PROSTATE Size: 4.1 x 6.2 x 6.3 cm. Volume: 83 mL based on ellipsoid calculation. Central Gland BPH Changes: Moderate with large median lobe. Pre-Contrast T1 Changes (Blood): Absent. LESIONS: Persistent signal abnormality throughout the bulk of the peripheral gland now with suspected regions of superimposed concern as described below. LESION # 1. Best seen on series 7 image # 23. Location: Peripheral zone within the mid gland at the 5 o'clock position. Size: 1.1 cm. T2 Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a T2 score of Peripheral Zone 4: Circumscribed, homogeneous moderately hypointense focus confined to prostate and less than 1.5 cm in greatest dimension. DWI Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a DWI score of 3: Focal hypointensity on ADC and/or focal hyperintensity on high b-value DWI. Dynamic contrast enhancement: (+ ): Focal, and earlier than enhancement of adjacent normal prostatic tissues, corresponding to suspicious finding on T2W/DWI. LESION PI-RADS CATEGORY: PI-RADS 4 - High (clinically significant cancer is likely to be present) LESION # 2. Best seen on series 7 image # 23. Location: Peripheral zone within the mid gland at the 7-8 o'clock position. Size: 1.4 cm. T2 Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a T2 score of Peripheral Zone 4: Circumscribed, homogeneous moderately hypointense focus confined to prostate and less than 1.5 cm in greatest dimension. DWI Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a DWI score of 4: Focal marked hypointensity on ADC and marked hyperintensity on high b-value DWI; measuring less than 1.5 cm in greatest dimension. Dynamic contrast enhancement: (+ ): Focal, and earlier than enhancement of adjacent normal prostatic tissues, corresponding to suspicious finding on T2W/DWI. LESION PI-RADS CATEGORY: PI-RADS 4 - High (clinically significant cancer is likely to be present) LESION # 3. Best seen on series 7 image # 16. Location: Peripheral zone within the base at the 7 o'clock position. Size: 2.1 cm. T2 Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a T2 score of Peripheral Zone 3: Heterogeneous signal intensity or non-circumscribed, rounded, moderate hypointensity; Includes others that do not qualify as 2, 4, or 5. DWI Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a DWI score of 5: Focal marked hypointensity on ADC and marked hyperintensity on high b-value DWI; measuring at least 1.5 cm in greatest dimension or demonstrating definite extraprostatic extension. Dynamic contrast enhancement: (+ ): Focal, and earlier than enhancement of adjacent normal prostatic tissues, corresponding to suspicious finding on T2W/DWI. LESION PI-RADS CATEGORY: PI-RADS 5 - Very High (clinically significant cancer is highly likely to be present) LESION # 4. Best seen on series 7 image # 22. Location: Peripheral zone within the apex at the 3 o'clock position. Size: 1.7 cm. T2 Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a T2 score of Peripheral Zone 3: Heterogeneous signal intensity or non-circumscribed, rounded, moderate hypointensity; Includes others that do not qualify as 2, 4, or 5. DWI Characteristics & Score: The lesion demonstrates a DWI score of 5: Focal marked hypointensity on ADC and marked hyperintensity on high b-value DWI; measuring at least 1.5 cm in greatest dimension or demonstrating definite extraprostatic extension. Dynamic contrast enhancement: (+ ): Focal, and earlier than enhancement of adjacent normal prostatic tissues, corresponding to suspicious finding on T2W/DWI. LESION PI-RADS CATEGORY: PI-RADS 5 - Very High (clinically significant cancer is highly likely to be present) Prostate margin: EPE: Threatened. Local invasion: No local invasion identified. Pelvic Lymph Nodes: No lymphadenopathy by size criteria. Bowel: Colonic diverticulosis. The imaged small bowel and colon is otherwise normal. Bladder: Thickening and trabeculation of the urinary bladder, often seen in the setting of chronic bladder outlet obstruction physiology. Left ureterocele again demonstrated. Abdominal Wall & Pelvic Girdle soft tissues: Bilateral fat-containing inguinal hernias. Bones: No acute or suspicious lesion. Other: No ascites.
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I certainly don't have the expertise or experience that most of the folks on here do. But from an elevated PSA in April (11.3) to an MRI 3 weeks later, to coordinating a visit to Mayo in Rochester in June to a July Biopsy (I wanted Trans perineal to reduce risk of any infection) to the follow up visit to discuss the Biopsy in August to PSMA / Pet Scan then meeting with a Surgeon early September who ordered an ARTERA report, to meeting with the Radiologist a few days after the Surgeon to having a another MRI and a Cystocsopy and Urogram because in one of the my urine tests they find a microscopic amount of blood, that's scheduled for 9/29. To meeting with the Radiologist again on October 1 to decide whats' next.
My MRI was PIRADS-5, the biopsy puts me at unfavorable intermediate - Gleason 7 (4+3), no cribifrom, no extracapsular and no seminal vesical invasion. Grade T1c. PSA in July was 19.3, another PSA is now 23.1 as of 9/19. Artera Score with the 19.3 indicated a 10 year estimate of Metastic disease was 2.2%, Artera also indicated negative for ADT, which indicates that there is (based on Artera) minimal need for ADT. Also the PSA at 23.1 moves you from unfavorable intermediate to what is considered high risk. However high risk winds up being a pretty big group, Gleason 8 and 9 so I'm awaiting to hear how the Radiologist looks at the PSA and the "clinical" rating of high risk rather than how it applies to me!
I know that was a lot but I am pretty positive that everything will work out. However, I've watched videos from PCRI, I've done a lot of research.
I've used ChatGPT to help analyse things so I did download the medical reports and asked or prompted ChatGPT with questions like.
"What does this mean, what should I be concerned about, what options do you think I should look at" I have kept that Chat conversation going, something new comes up I can just type it into the Chat and it remembers and knows all of the things I've already brought up.
What I would tell you for me this has been a marathon, it's not a sprint and at times it's overwhelming. But this group and all of the questions and answers has been invaluable. Keep your positive attitude it really helps.
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3 Reactions@sorensend58 thanks for sharing your experience. trying to stay positive as I navigate this. Did you have a MRI fusion biopsy that targeted the Pirads 5 lesions? Is the Artera test like a Decipher test? One of my concerns is the wait time for a MRI fusion biopsy with a MRI that says “threatening EPE”. My doctors PA-C has offered a 12 core transrectal biopsy and I’m just not sure whether to do that now or establish care elsewhere and get a fusion biopsy with 4 lesions, all pirads 4 and 5. I also find AI helpful.
in terms of treatment are you leaning more toward Radiation and which type?
@ezupcic
They did the lesion along with core samples throughout the the complete prostate. I would have wanted that done and not just the lesion. I'm not sure if I can paste an image in here, but I had Chatgpt take the biopsy result and show me what it found. There was only 1 lesion that the MRI showed. It was an MRI Fusion Biopsy. I also at that time didn't know and was looking at focal therapy so I wanted the biopsy to be done at the same place where any radiation or other treatment would be done.
I hope this helps.
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4 Reactions@ezupcic In order of precedence and why it probably isn't going to happen.
1. Focal therapy - too many cores with cancer so focal therapy I ruled out.
2. HDR Brachytherapy monotherapy (two sessions) - haven't heard from radiologist on whether this is appropriate
3. SBRT - or longer therapy - depending on radiologist recommendation. Each has advantages.
ADT +/- Artera indicated minimal value on adding ADT, my feeling right now is do decline that for a myriad of reasons but I would have changed my thought process based on what Artera came back with.
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1 Reaction@sorensend58
First time I’ve ever seen a biopsy map like that. Really nice feature to have with your biopsy results. Your 4+3 does give you a good chance of being able to have a long-term Remission. I am a 4+3 i’m still around after 16 years even though I have BRCA2.
The fact that there are no aggressive issues found is really good. Your PSA is a little high, Once it hits 20 NCCN includes that as an aggressive issue In some cases.
Prostate cancer is a chronic disease for almost all of us, and a deadly disease for just a few. With the right treatment, you should have a lot of years in front of you.
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3 Reactions@sorensend58
That is a terrific map. My urologist provided just the biopsy location one, just black and white but yours really brings it all to life.
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1 Reaction@sorensend58 that is a really helpful picture.
@jeffmarc how much does the PSA number matter compared with the nature of the lesion identified in an MRI? Just curious if you've seen any data on that. For example my PSA is 8.8 and prostate density is 0,10 but my MRI identified two Pirads 5 lesions and two Pirads 4 lesions with "Threatening EPE". Not sure if the lower PSA is reassuring at all.
@ezupcic @wheel1 @jeffmarc For anyone who would want to recreate this I did it with ChatGPT. Which I believe is free but only with a limit on number of uses per day. I use it all the time for work so pay a monthly charge, similar to what we old folks would remember as our AOL charges.
All you need to do is copy the attached PDF, copy your MRI report, copy your biopsy information and then in the box to ask chat a question just type in use the PDF file as my prompt and create the requested information. You should get the same picture with your information.
ChatGPT-Prompt-example (ChatGPT-Prompt-example.pdf)
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