Cambridge researchers develop safe, affordable device for prostate cancer diagnosis

A new medical device developed at Addenbrooke’s and supported by the NIHR Cambridge BRC and NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility aims to reduce the risk of infection in prostate patients – and save time and money.

The device – called the Cambridge Prostate Biopsy Device (CamPROBE) – has been developed by urology specialist Professor Vincent Gnanapragasam and his team at Cambridge University Hospitals and Cambridge University.

Traditionally, prostate patients have had transrectal biopsies, where a sample of tissue is removed from the prostate using a thin needle that is inserted through the rectum and into the prostate.

This carries a significant risk of side effects, including urinary infections and severe sepsis -and medical and professional bodies now advocate using instead the transperineal route, which is the space between the legs and under the scrotum.

The CamPROBE uses the transperinal route – making it safer for patients. It’s also cost-effective and simple to use – the procedure can be carried out in outpatients under local anaesthetic.

Urology consultant Professor Gnanapragasam (pictured below) said: “In trials cancer detection rates were equivalent to other means of biopsy.

“Procedure times were short and only low amounts of local anaesthetic were required, yet low pain scores were reported by patients.

“More than 85% of patients said they would recommend the CamPROBE procedure as a method of having a prostate biopsy done.”

The CamPROBE aims to make the lives of patients better through a simple and low pain approach of prostate cancer detection, hopefully benefitting the millions of men who have prostate biopsies every year.

A licensing agreement for CamPROBE has been agreed with product development company JEB Technologies.