Multiparametric MRI and prostate cancer diagnosis and risk stratification - Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:Prostate cancer is the most common solid organ cancer type among American men.

Screening and imaging aim to detect early-stage disease that is biologically aggressive. The focus of this study is to review multiparametric MRI in the detection and risk stratification of prostate cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS: MP-MRI has been shown to be the most accurate noninvasive technique to localize prostate cancer. Recent studies reported that using MRI for guidance during prostate biopsies increases the yield of prostate biopsies. Moreover, multiparametric and particular MRI sequences such as apparent diffusion coefficient values of diffusion-weighted MRI have been found to correlate negatively with tumor Gleason scores.

SUMMARY: Among the existing imaging modalities, multiplanar magnetic resonance is the best at detecting prostate cancers. Some risk stratification is possible based on size, extent and apparent diffusion coefficient values. However, prostate MRI remains nonspecific and biopsies must be performed to confirm whether an abnormality is benign or malignant and to assign Gleason scores.

Written by:
Turkbey B, Choyke PL. Are you the author?
Molecular Imaging Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Reference: Curr Opin Urol. 2012 Jul;22(4):310-5.
doi: 10.1097/MOU.0b013e32835481c2

PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22617060

UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section