Correlation of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data with cellularity in prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cell density (CD) obtained from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.


METHODS
In all, 36 patients with prostate cancer were recruited; T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI was obtained axially using a 3.0 T scanner. Patients then proceeded to RP; the prostate was whole-mounted and sectioned axially. Slices (3 microm) were cut from the surface of each section and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Five randomly positioned areas from the tumour and normal peripheral zone (PZ) were examined by light microscopy at x 200, then digitally photographed and analysed to obtain automatic CD. ADC values were determined from the MRI data using the H&E slides as a reference. ADC and CD values were measured in both malignant lesions and the PZ, and the correlation between ADC and CD assessed.


RESULTS
ADC values were lower (P <or= 0.001) in regions pathologically determined as tumour, with a mean (sd) of 1.45 (0.26) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, vs normal PZ, of 1.90 (0.33) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. Similarly, the mean CD over the five fields was higher (P <or= 0.001) in tumour than in normal PZ, with values of 18.89 (4.93)% vs 9.22 (3.23)%. There was a significant correlation between the ADC values and CD (r = -0.50, P < 0.001) regardless of tissue type. CD values were high in cancer which had lower ADC values than normal PZ.


CONCLUSIONS
ADC values were correlated successfully with CD; this information cannot be obtained with conventional MRI and is useful in characterizing prostate cancer.
Zelhof
Bashar
B
University of Hull, Centrre for MR Investigations, UK. bzelhof@hotmail.com
Pickles
Martin
M
Liney
Gary
G
Gibbs
Peter
P
Rodrigues
Greta
G
Kraus
Sigurd
S
Turnbull
Lindsay
L
D002452:Cell Count; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery