MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN DIAGNOSIS, STAGING AND RADIOTHERAPY PLANNING FOR PROSTATE CANCER

Abstract

T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), preferably using an endorectal coil, is able to clearly depict the normal prostatic anatomy and to identify prostate cancer with fair diagnostic accuracy. The latter can be further increased by using functional techniques such as spectroscopy (assessment of prostatic metabolism), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (assessment of angiogenesis) and diffusion-weighted imaging (assessment of cellular density). T2-weighted MRI is an important tool for local staging of prostate cancer in patients clinically staged as cT1 or cT2, because of its high specifi city for macroscopic capsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion. Compared to CT-imaging, MRI depicts the internal prostatic anatomy, prostatic margins and the extent of prostatic tumours much more clearly. This benefi t can be exploited to improve the accuracy of target delineations in radiotherapy planning.

Keywords:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• prostate cancer