In vivo proton MR spectroscopy reveals altered metabolite content in malignant prostate tissue.
BACKGROUND
Recently the potential of magnetic resonance (MR) methods for non-invasive diagnosis and therapy evaluation of prostate cancer has improved substantially. In this study proton MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) was explored for the detection of cancer in the prostate.


METHODS
Employing an endorectal probe localized 1H MRS and contrast enhanced MR imaging was performed on the prostate of healthy volunteers and of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and/or prostate cancer (PCa).


RESULTS
1H MR spectra of the human prostate showed major signals for citrate, creatine and choline compounds. For cancer tissue the average citrate/choline signal ratio was significantly lower than for BPH and non-cancerous peripheral and central zone tissue, but individual ratios overlapped with ratios for normal central zone and BPH tissue. Low citrate/choline ratios in tumour tissue correspond with early MR contrast enhancement.


CONCLUSIONS
1H MRS has potential for non-invasive detection and follow-up of tumours in the prostate.
Heerschap
A
A
Department of Radiology, Urology and Pathology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.heerschap@rdiag.azn.nl
Jager
G J
GJ
van der Graaf
M
M
Barentsz
J O
JO
de la Rosette
J J
JJ
Oosterhof
G O
GO
Ruijter
E T
ET
Ruijs
S H
SH
D000368:Aged; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D002951:Citrates / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values
D002951:Citrates; D002794:Choline