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Document Details : Title: Magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis, staging and radiotherapy planning for prostate cancer Author(s): VILLEIRS GM, DE VISSCHERE PJ, FONTEYNE VH, LUMEN N, DE MEERLEER GO Journal: Acta Clinica Belgica Volume: 65 Issue: 6 Date: 2010 Pages: 371-376 DOI: 10.2143/ACB.65.6.1002442 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 specificity 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. |
