Prostate Cancer & MRI Tumour Contact Area: What This New Research Means for You

A new 2025 study looked at how prostate cancer behaves inside the body — specifically, whether we can predict when the cancer is likely to grow outside the prostate. This is called extraprostatic extension (EPE), and it is an important factor that helps doctors decide the safest and most effective treatment.

What Did the Study Look At?

Researchers used MRI scans to measure how much of the tumour was touching the outer edge of the prostate. This measurement is called the Tumour Contact Area (TCA). Simply put:
The more of the tumour that touches the edge of the prostate, the more likely it is to grow past it.

Why Is Extraprostatic Extension (EPE) Important?

When cancer stays inside the prostate, treatment is often more straightforward. But when the tumour has begun to grow beyond the prostate wall, doctors may need to take a different approach, such as:

• More targeted surgery
• Adjustments in radiotherapy
• Closer monitoring of risk factors

This is why predicting EPE early can greatly improve the accuracy of personalised treatment plans.

Key Finding in Simple Terms

The study found that a larger MRI tumour contact area strongly predicted whether the cancer was already spreading outside the prostate. Think of it like this:
• If a tumour is barely touching the prostate wall → lower chance it's spreading.
• If a tumour is pressed widely against the wall → higher chance it has broken through.

How Doctors Can Use This Information

This measure gives doctors a clearer picture before surgery or treatment begins. It helps them:

• Assess how aggressive the cancer may be
• Decide if nerve-sparing surgery is safe
• Plan radiotherapy with better targeting
• Improve prediction models for patient outcomes

Most importantly, it gives both patients and clinicians more confidence in choosing the right treatment option.

What This Means for Patients

If you or someone you know is being evaluated for prostate cancer, especially “clinical T2” cancer (meaning it appears confined to the prostate), this MRI measure could offer better clarity. It does not replace a biopsy or other diagnostic tools — but it adds an extra layer of accuracy that may help catch early signs of spread.

Bottom Line

This new research shows that a simple MRI measurement — the tumour’s contact area with the prostate wall — can be a strong predictor of whether prostate cancer is growing beyond its boundaries. In everyday terms: the more the tumour presses on the edge, the more carefully your doctor should evaluate the risk of spread.