Patterns of shift in ADC distributions in abdominal tumours during chemotherapy-feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) relates to tissue cellularity, and change in ADC during chemotherapy may be a promising tool for assessing oncological response.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of measuring changes in ADC distribution in solid abdominal and pelvic paediatric tumours during chemotherapy, and to assess patterns of change.


METHODS
Consecutive children were included in a prospective observational study. ADC maps were calculated at presentation and following chemotherapy from a diffusion-sensitised sequence. ADC distribution in the whole tumour, excluding areas of low or absent gadolinium-enhancement, was investigated. Change during chemotherapy was assessed for each patient individually. Histopathological slices from the resected specimens were reviewed.


RESULTS
There were seven children (nine tumours) included in the study. ADC in all except one deviated from a normal distribution. All tumours changed their ADC distribution during chemotherapy. Median ADC increased in all upper abdominal tumours, but more in tumours with histopathologically good or marked response to chemotherapy. Seven out of nine tumours attained a wider ADC distribution, the remaining two showed little chemotherapy response.


CONCLUSIONS
ADC distribution changes during chemotherapy in childhood abdominal tumours are measurable. Distinct patterns of shift can be observed and ADC change is therefore promising as a noninvasive biomarker for therapy response.
McDonald
Kirsteen
K
Radiology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
Sebire
Neil J
NJ
Anderson
John
J
Olsen
Oystein E
OE
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents