Clinical guidelines favor MRI before prostate biopsy due to proven benefits. However, adoption patterns across the US are unclear.

This study used the Merative™ Marketscan® Commercial & Medicare Databases to analyze 872,829 prostate biopsies in 726,663 men from 2007–2022. Pre-biopsy pelvic MRI within 90 days was the primary outcome. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations assessed changes over time, urban-rural differences, and state-level variation.

Pre-biopsy MRI utilization increased significantly from 0.5% in 2007 to 35.5% in 2022, with faster adoption in urban areas (36.1% in 2022) versus rural areas (28.3% in 2022). Geographic disparities were notable, with higher utilization in California, New York, and Minnesota, and lower rates in the Southeast and Mountain West.

The study reveals a paradigm shift in prostate cancer diagnostics towards MRI-guided approaches, influenced by evolving guidelines and clinical evidence. Disparities in access, particularly in rural areas and specific regions, highlight the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to advanced diagnostic techniques.