Contrast Enhanced Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) to Assess Prostatic Vascularity as a Measure of Treatment Response and Early Prediction of Treatment Failure After XRT
Inclusion Criteria:
- Men aged 40 - 80 years old
- Biopsy proven intermediate/high risk clinically localized prostate cancer, as
determined by a Gleason score of 7 or higher, clinical stage T2b or higher, or PSA >
10. Pathology will be confirmed by at least two reviews
- Patients opting for EBRT (external beam radiation therapy, standard of care) without
hormonal ablation
- Ability to undergo serial TRUS procedures
- Ability to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subject has known hypersensitivity to octafluoropropane.
- Evidence of distant metastatic disease on staging evaluation
- Previous treatment for prostate cancer, including any form of androgen ablation
- Previous procedures involving the anus or rectum, making serial TRUS difficult or
dangerous
- Expected life expectancy less than 10 years
- Baseline testosterone < 200 ng/dL
- Subject with cardiac shunts and elevated pulmonary hypertension
- Subject has worsening or clinically unstable congestive heart failure.
- Subject has acute myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome.
- Subject has ventricular arrhythmias or is high risk for arrhythmias.
- Subject has respiratory failure, severe emphysema or pulmonary emboli.
- Subject has a history of cardiac shunt or pulmonary hypertension.