Current Status of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Malignant Uterine Neoplasms: A Review

Korean J Radiol. 2019 Jan;20(1):18-33. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2018.0090. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Abstract

In this study, we summarize the clinical role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of patients with malignant uterine neoplasms, including leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, adenosarcoma, uterine carcinosarcoma, and endometrial cancer, with emphasis on the challenges and disadvantages. MRI plays an essential role in patients with uterine malignancy, for the purpose of tumor detection, primary staging, and treatment planning. MRI has advanced in scope beyond the visualization of the many aspects of anatomical structures, including diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhancement-MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Emerging technologies coupled with the use of artificial intelligence in MRI are expected to lead to progressive improvement in case management of malignant uterine neoplasms.

Keywords: Endometrial cancer; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sarcoma; Uterine neoplasm.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Adenosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenosarcoma / pathology
  • Carcinosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinosarcoma / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / diagnosis
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterus / pathology

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals