Enhancing fraction measured using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI predicts disease-free survival in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for simple imaging parameters capable of predicting therapeutic outcome.


METHODS
This retrospective study analysed 50 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI before receiving potentially curative radiotherapy. The proportion of enhancing pixels (E(F)) in the whole-tumour volume post-contrast agent injection was calculated and assessed in relation to disease-free survival (DFS).


RESULTS
Tumours with high E(F) had a significantly poorer probability of DFS than those with low E(F) (P=0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
E(F) is a simple imaging biomarker that should be studied further in a multi-centre setting.
Donaldson
S B
SB
North Western Medical Physics, The Christie, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Stephanie.donaldson@physics.cr.man.ac.uk
Buckley
D L
DL
O'Connor
J P
JP
Davidson
S E
SE
Carrington
B M
BM
Jones
A P
AP
West
C M L
CM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000098:blood supply / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA