The emerging role of diffusion-weighted MRI in prostate cancer management

Nat Rev Urol. 2012 Jan 17;9(2):94-101. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2011.222.

Abstract

A significant amount of research has focused on the role of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in the management of patients with prostate cancer. Although uncertainties remain, a clearer picture of where this technique fits into clinical practice is now available. A combination of DW-MRI and T2-weighted MRI (T2W-MRI) demonstrates improved accuracy for lesion detection and localization compared with T2W-MRI alone, and has been suggested as a tool to guide tissue biopsy. DW-MRI could also have roles in active surveillance, evaluating treatment efficacy, and predicting disease recurrence. Furthermore, DW-MRI offers the exciting possibility of gathering information about tumor characteristics and aggressiveness in a noninvasive manner. Validation in large prospective multicenter trials is critical if this technique is to be integrated into current management algorithms for prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Disease Management*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results