Dr. Joseph L. Chin (2003 Research Grant)

Physicians and patients have tough decisions to make when pre-cancerous lesions are found during biopsies because they have the potential to become cancerous and must be either removed or monitored.

Surgically removing the whole prostate for the sake of a tiny pre-cancerous lesion is not ideal since prostatectomy has side effects and risks. However, pinpointing and monitoring tiny lesions is almost impossible using the standard techniques (needle biopsy guided by two-dimensional ultrasound imaging).

Dr. Joseph Chin and his team are developing and testing state-of-the-art software that creates three-dimensional ultrasound images during biopsy. The new system will let doctors precisely locate lesions. Because the new software is compatible with current ultrasound machines and biopsy techniques, it will be cost-effective. Patient trials are not far off and the first publication on this experimental technology is in press.