Miszewski Kevin, Skrobisz Katarzyna, Miszewska Laura, Lipowski Philipp, Marczak Bartłomiej, Nowak Sara, Matuszewski Marcin
Department of Urology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Transl Androl Urol. 2025 May 30;14(5):1308-1314. doi: 10.21037/tau-2025-58. Epub 2025 May 27.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Recent advancements in diagnostic techniques, such as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fusion prostate biopsies (PB), have significantly improved cancer detection rates; however, patient understanding of these procedures remains underexplored. Effective informed consent is essential for patient-centered care, yet patients often report feeling inadequately informed about medical procedures. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge patients acquire during the informed consent process for PB, with a focus on their understanding of the procedure's indications, potential outcomes, and available treatment options.
We conducted a questionnaire-based study involving 177 patients scheduled for PB. The questionnaire included sections on demographic data, knowledge of the biopsy procedure, perceived risks, specific fears, and expectations regarding the biopsy outcomes and post-procedural care.
The survey revealed significant gaps in patient knowledge. Notably, 17.5% of respondents were unaware of their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, over half of the participants were uncertain whether a PB could accelerate cancer development, and 61.8% believed that a biopsy always detects cancer if present. Many patients were also unaware of the potential complications and treatment options associated with the procedure.
Significant gaps exist in patient understanding of PCa diagnostics and biopsy procedures, despite the informed consent process. Patients often lack awareness of their individual risk of malignancy, potential outcomes of the biopsy, subsequent follow-up procedures, and the advantages and disadvantages of different biopsy techniques. These knowledge deficits may impair their ability to make informed decisions about their care.
前列腺癌（PCa）是全球最常见的癌症之一。多参数磁共振成像（MRI）和融合前列腺活检（PB）等诊断技术的最新进展显著提高了癌症检测率；然而，患者对这些程序的了解仍未得到充分探索。有效的知情同意对于以患者为中心的护理至关重要，但患者经常报告感觉对医疗程序的了解不足。因此，本研究旨在评估患者在PB知情同意过程中获得的知识水平，重点关注他们对该程序的适应症、潜在结果和可用治疗选择的理解。
我们对177名计划进行PB的患者进行了一项基于问卷的研究。问卷包括人口统计学数据、活检程序知识、感知风险、特定恐惧以及对活检结果和术后护理的期望等部分。
调查显示患者知识存在重大差距。值得注意的是，17.5%的受访者不知道自己的前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）水平，超过一半的参与者不确定PB是否会加速癌症发展，61.8%的人认为活检如果存在癌症总能检测出来。许多患者也不知道与该程序相关的潜在并发症和治疗选择。
尽管有知情同意过程，但患者对PCa诊断和活检程序的理解仍存在重大差距。患者往往缺乏对自身恶性肿瘤个体风险、活检潜在结果、后续随访程序以及不同活检技术优缺点的认识。这些知识缺陷可能会损害他们对自身护理做出明智决策的能力。
