Functional magnetic resonance imaging in prostate cancer.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and diffusion-weighted MRI emerged as promising tests in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, and they show encouraging results. This review emphasizes different functional MRI techniques in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and includes information about their clinical value and usefulness. The authors searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. There were no language restrictions. The last search was performed in October 2008. The combination of conventional MRI with functional MRI techniques is more reliable for differentiating benign and malignant prostate tissues than any other diagnostic procedure. At present, no guideline is available that outlines which technique is best in a specific clinical situation. It also remains uncertain whether improved spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of 3-T MRI will improve diagnostic performance. A limited number of small studies suggest that functional MRI may improve the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. This finding needs further confirmation in larger studies, and cost-effectiveness needs to be established.