Robotic Prostate Biopsies Cut Infection Risk to 0% in 658-Patient Study
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 8
Robotic Prostate Biopsies Cut Infection Risk to 0% in 658-Patient Study
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 8
Summary
Advanced MRI, robotics and AI are reshaping prostate cancer diagnosis by helping doctors locate tumors more precisely on the first biopsy and tailor treatment more closely to each patient.
The Mona Lisa system merges MRI with real-time ultrasound to build a 3D prostate model, then guides the needle through a transperineal route while correcting deviation in real time to within a few millimeters.
In the PREVENT study of about 658 patients, the transperineal approach reported no infections, versus roughly 1.4% with traditional transrectal biopsy, while also allowing multiple samples through one entry point.
That higher diagnostic precision is also enabling focal therapy—treating only the tumor area instead of the whole gland in suitable cases—aiming to reduce unnecessary treatment and preserve quality of life.
Does 'pinpoint' focal therapy truly offer the same long-term cancer protection as traditional, more invasive treatments?
Is the new era of precision cancer therapy creating a two-tiered system of care based on affordability?
As AI-guided robots enter operating rooms, who becomes liable when a life-or-death error occurs?
0% Infection Risk: How Robotics and AI Are Transforming Prostate Cancer Biopsy (2024-2026)
Overview
Between 2024 and 2026, prostate cancer diagnostics experienced a major transformation, with patient safety during biopsies improving dramatically. This change was driven by the widespread adoption of the transperineal approach (TPB), which virtually eliminated the risk of infection—a significant improvement over the traditional transrectal route (TRB) that carried notable infection risks. The pivotal PREVENT clinical trial, published in 2024, provided strong evidence for TPB’s superior safety, showing a 0% infection rate among hundreds of patients. This shift marks a new era in prostate cancer care, prioritizing both safety and effective diagnosis.