Use of magnetic resonance imaging in low-dose-rate and high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy from diagnosis to treatment assessment: Defining the knowledge gaps, technical challenges, and barriers to implementation

S J Frank; F Mourtada; J Crook; C Ménard

doi:10.1016/j.brachy.2017.01.014

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in low-dose-rate and high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy from diagnosis to treatment assessment: Defining the knowledge gaps, technical challenges, and barriers to implementation

Brachytherapy. 2017 Jul-Aug;16(4):672-678. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2017.01.014. Epub 2017 Mar 23.

Authors

S J Frank¹, F Mourtada², J Crook³, C Ménard⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address: sjfrank@mdanderson.org.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Newark, DE.
³ Department of Surgery, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Center for the Southern Interior, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
⁴ University of Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Techna Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 28343795
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2017.01.014

Abstract

MRI is rapidly evolving as an imaging tool in both low-dose-rate and high-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer. The ability of MRI to identify intraprostatic tumors and reduce uncertainties in the workflow process should enable a more accurate and precise radiation delivery approach while simultaneously improving the quality assurance process. The ability to identify functional anatomic structures adjacent to the prostate cancer could reduce or eliminate some of the more common side effects of the treatment. However, MRI is complex, and collaborative efforts and future research are required to address the current knowledge gaps, technical challenges, and barriers to widespread the implementation of MRI-assisted and MRI-guided prostate brachytherapy.

Keywords: HDR; LDR; MRI physics; MRI-assisted radiosurgery; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prostate brachytherapy; Prostate cancer; Pulse sequences.