MR Imaging of Gynecologic Tumors: Pearls, Pitfalls, and Tumor Mimics

Abstract

MR imaging is the modality of choice for the pre-treatment evaluation of patients with gynecologic malignancies, given its excellent soft tissue contrast and multi-planar capability. However, it is not without pitfalls. Challenges can be encountered in the assessment of the infiltration of myometrium, vagina, cervical stroma, and parametria, which are crucial prognostic factors for endometrial and cervical cancers. Other challenges can be encountered in the distinction between solid and non-solid tissue and in the identification of peritoneal carcinomatosis for the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Endometrial cancer; Gynecologic malignancies; MR imaging; Ovarian cancer; Pitfalls; Tumor mimics.