MSc projects 2122 003

Role of diffusion-weighted MRI in the imaging of prostate cancer

Abstract: Prostate cancer is the most common organ cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Up to 80% of men are at risk of developing prostate cancer as they advance in age. While prostate cancer is often low-grade and low-risk in nature, high-risk incidences are becoming increasingly common and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men of advanced age. With prostate cancer, timely diagnosis and an effective management strategy are pivotal for survival. Clinical guidelines recommend the use the Prostate Specific Antigen as a marker for prostate cancer and the performance of a Transrectal Ultrasound for imaging. However, both of these diagnostic tools are inadequate with the PSA test having an accuracy of as low as 30% and the Transrectal ultrasonography imaging exam being highly susceptible to misinterpretation. Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is an alternative imaging technique in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. This review aims to investigate the use of DW-MRI as an imaging tool for the imaging of prostate cancers for diagnosis, obtaining of tissue samples and review of the progress of the cancer during and after treatment.
Project type:
  • Educational package
Imaging keywords:
Application / disease keywords:
  • Prostate cancer
  • Prostate Specific Antigen (TSA)
Supervisor(s):
Programme:
Year:
  • 21-22