What to Expect During Your ExactVu Prostate Ultrasound

Urinary symptoms like increased frequency and urgency can be signs of an enlarged prostate gland, but they can also be signs of prostate cancer — a common cancer that affects up to 13% of men.

If you’re dealing with concerning symptoms, our team of board-certified urologists at Bellingham Urology Group may recommend that you have an ExactVu™ prostate ultrasound. This advanced imaging procedure provides a detailed view of your prostate, so our team can better assess its condition. 

Not only does it help reveal the location of tumors, but it can also be used during a biopsy to confirm or rule out prostate cancer.

If your Bellingham Urology Group team has recommended an ExactVu prostate ultrasound at one of our offices in Bellingham or Mount Vernon, Washington, and you’re wondering what to expect, then continue reading. That’s just the topic that we tackle below.

Is the ExactVu prostate ultrasound like a regular ultrasound?

No, the ExactVu prostate ultrasound isn’t the same as a regular ultrasound. Rather, it’s more advanced than a regular ultrasound. While both use sound waves to create images of internal organs, the ExactVu system specifically focuses on providing highly detailed, high-resolution prostate images. 

The micro-ultrasound ExactVu system then uses high-frequency sound waves (29 MHz) to create detailed images of your prostate. This high frequency allows for much greater image resolution compared with standard ultrasounds, which typically operate in the 2.5-15 MHz range.

The 29 MHz frequency used by ExactVu is what enables it to produce highly detailed images — images that your Bellingham Urology Group provider then uses to evaluate your prostate’s size and structure and any areas of concern. Because of this, studies show that the overall prostate cancer detection ratio with the ExactVu prostate ultrasound is 0.99. In other words, the ExactVu system is highly accurate, with a detection rate of 99%. 

This level of detail helps in detecting smaller lesions or abnormalities that might not be visible with standard ultrasound technology.

What to expect during your ExactVu prostrate ultrasound

When you arrive for your ultrasound, you’ll be asked to change into a gown and lie down on an examination table. The technician will use a small, lubricated probe that is gently inserted into your rectum. This may feel slightly uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. 

During your ultrasound, your technician uses the PRI-MUS™ (prostate risk identification using micro-ultrasound) protocol to help identify potentially cancerous tissue and reveal any areas that may require a biopsy.

If a biopsy is needed, it can often be done at the same time. During a biopsy, your board-certified urologist removes a small sample of tissue using the guidance of an ExactVu prostate ultrasound.

After your ultrasound

Once the ultrasound is complete, you can return home the same day, but you’ll need to take it easy for a few days.  Our team reviews the images (and biopsy results if applicable) and discusses the results with you.

If your results indicate the presence of prostate cancer, our team may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. When possible, our experts use robotic surgical techniques.

We know the thought of prostate cancer — or any type of cancer, really — can be unnerving, but know that you’re not in this alone. Please reach out with any questions about your ultrasound or any prostate concerns.

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