Magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of men with prostate cancer are most commonly performed for detecting, characterizing, and staging the extent of disease to best determine diagnostic or treatment strategies, which range from biopsy guidance to active surveillance to radical prostatectomy.
Given both the exam's importance to individual treatment plans and the time constraints present for its operation at most institutions, it is essential to perform the study effectively and efficiently. This article reviews the most commonly employed modern techniques for prostate cancer MR examinations, exploring the relevant signal characteristics from the different methods discussed and relating them to intrinsic prostate tissue properties. Also, a review of recent articles using these methods to enhance clinical interpretation and assess clinical performance is provided.
Written by:
Hegde JV, Mulkern RV, Panych LP, Fennessy FM, Fedorov A, Maier SE, Tempany CM. Are you the author?
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Reference: J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 May;37(5):1035-54.
doi: 10.1002/jmri.23860
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23606141
UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section