title: The Utility of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Values in Discriminating Between Prostate Cancer and Normal Tissue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values in discriminating between patients with tumors and normal prostate tissue before the initial systematic core biopsy. The relationship between histological grade of prostate cancer and ADC values in the peripheral zone was also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included 62 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis. The examinations were performed in T1-, T2-weighted, DWI and T1 after dynamic contrast administration sequences. In all patients there were abnormal foci within the peripheral zone determined in DWI/ADC. ADC values were compared with the Gleason score (GS) after core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with low, medium and high stage tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within the examined group of patients, ADC was statistically higher for normal tissue than for cancerous tissue (p=0.00). Mean ADC values for patients with low, intermediate and high GS were 0.85±0.03, 0.72±0.03, and 0.61±0.04, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DWI/ADC is useful in differentiating high-risk patients from those at low and intermediate risk, since there is a significant correlation between ADC values determined in patients included in three different groups according to their Gleason score. This information may be helpful in the assessment of prostate cancer aggressiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luczyńska
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Sylwia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinze-Paluchowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domalik
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cwierz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kasperkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blecharz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy ; Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jereczek-Fossa
keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasm Grading; Prostatic Neoplasms