Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) for cancer screening: recommendations for use

Radiol Med. 2021 Nov;126(11):1434-1450. doi: 10.1007/s11547-021-01392-2. Epub 2021 Aug 2.

Abstract

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is currently recommended for cancer screening in adult and paediatric subjects with cancer predisposition syndromes, representing a substantial aid for prolonging health and survival of these subjects with a high oncological risk. Additionally, the number of studies exploring the use of WB-MRI for cancer screening in asymptomatic subjects from the general population is growing. The primary aim of this review was to analyse the acquisition protocols found in the literature, in order to identify common sequences across published studies and to discuss the need of additional ones for specific populations. The secondary aim of this review was to provide a synthesis of current recommendations regarding the use of WB-MRI for cancer screening.

Keywords: Cancer screening; Cancer-related syndromes; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Oncology; Whole-body MRI.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Whole Body Imaging*