Enhancing Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Biomarkers and Imaging for Improved Patient Outcomes

Prostate cancer (PC) is a prevalent malignancy among males and ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Factors such as age, ethnicity, family history, and genetic predispositions significantly influence the prognosis of PC. The advent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has revolutionized early detection and management strategies for prostate cancer. However, a major clinical challenge persists in differentiating between low- and high-risk cancers due to the typically slow progression of PC. Recent studies indicate that more men are likely to die with PC rather than from it, largely due to the over-detection of clinically insignificant cancers through widespread PSA testing. The concept of 'clinically significant PCa' is crucial in distinguishing cancers that may lead to morbidity or mortality from those that are unlikely to cause harm. Over-treatment of clinically insignificant cancers poses a risk of adverse side effects, potentially diminishing the patient's quality of life. Efforts to enhance the specificity of PSA testing have led to the development of complementary tests and risk calculators, aiding in the decision-making process for appropriate management strategies. Novel imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, have shown improved predictive value over PSA testing alone, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary procedures. Despite these advancements, the current opportunistic screening approach has not achieved the desired reduction in mortality rates, highlighting the need for organized screening and novel risk stratification methods.

This Research Topic aims to address the challenges and opportunities in the prevention and early detection of prostate cancer. The primary objectives include exploring innovative screening methods, improving risk stratification, and identifying reliable biomarkers to enhance the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis and management. By focusing on these areas, the research seeks to reduce over-diagnosis and over-treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Key questions include how to effectively distinguish between clinically significant and insignificant cancers and how to optimize screening protocols to maximize benefits while minimizing harm.

To gather further insights in the realm of prostate cancer prevention and early detection, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Prostate cancer screening and early detection methodologies
- Risk stratification techniques and the role of biomarkers, including molecular and imaging markers
- Advances in imaging modalities and their impact on diagnostic accuracy
- Development and validation of risk calculators for clinical decision-making
- Strategies for implementing organized screening programs
- Evaluation of treatment options and their implications on patient quality of life
- Novel approaches to mitigate over-diagnosis and over-treatment in prostate cancer management

Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.