Title:Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pelvic Cancer
VOLUME: 8 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):N. M. deSouza, S. Kyriazi and E. Sala
Affiliation:MRI Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.
Keywords:Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer;
cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer
Abstract:Diffusion-weighted MRI exploits intrinsic tissue contrast generated by movement of water within tissues over
distances of around 1-20 microns. These distances are travelled by water within microcapillaries or in the extracellular
space as a result of thermally driven random motion, where movement is limited by structural interfaces such as cell
membranes. Diffusion-weighted imaging thus reflects microcapillary perfusion and tissue cellularity. In soft tissue pelvic
neoplasms, the quantitative ADC maps generated can be used in conjunction with conventional T2-W images to improve
tumour detection and staging, and are increasingly being explored as quantitative functional biomarkers of prognosis and
response. This review summarizes the current clinical utility and future potential of diffusion-weighted MRI in prostate,
rectal, gynaecological and bladder cancers.
