Basic concepts and applications of functional magnetic resonance imaging for radiotherapy of prostate cancer

Abstract

Recently, the interest to integrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiotherapy for prostate cancer has increased considerably. MRI can contribute in all steps of the radiotherapy workflow from diagnosis, staging, and target definition to treatment follow-up. Of particular interest is the ability of MRI to provide a wide range of functional measures. The complexity of MRI as an imaging modality combined with the growing interest of the application to prostate cancer radiotherapy, emphasize the need for dedicated education within the radiation oncology community. In this context, an overview of the most common as well as a few upcoming functional MR imaging techniques is presented: the basic methodology and measurement is described, the link between the functional measures and the underlying biology is established, and finally relevant applications of functional MRI useful for prostate cancer radiotherapy are given.

Imaging science and development in modern high-precision radiotherapy

“…Physical challenges of MR-guided adaptive RT concern treatment planning and dose calculation in magnetic fields [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] and strategies for MR-based RT plan adaptation with minimal latency time [64] , [65] . In the future, imaging biomarkers assessed from functional MRI may be useful for the prediction of therapy outcome or side effects after RT [66] , [67] , [68] .…”

RESUME : A flexible class of multi-parameter qMRI protocols

“…Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) has long been recognized as a valuable probe to investigate the microstructural properties of biological tissues [1,2]. The quantitation of intrinsic contrast mechanisms in MRI has been extensively exploited in nearly all the clinical and preclinical contexts [3], spanning musculoskeletal [4,5] and cardiovascular imaging [6,7], tumor detection [8] and radiotherapy (RT) planning [9][10][11], with a natural scope of choice provided by neuroimaging [12].…”

Clinical experience and workflow challenges with magnetic resonance-only radiation therapy simulation and planning for prostate cancer

“…An MRI-only workflow can potentially eliminate the use of an additional CT scan and help in reducing systematic registration uncertainty [6]. Use of hybrid technologies such as MR-linear accelerator devices (MR-linac) and MR-Positron emission tomography (MR-PET) as well as integration of multiparametric MRI provides further argument for an MR-only workflow for prostate [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Other reported advantages of MR-only include cost advantage in terms of scanner and personnel resources as well as lower imaging doses by eliminating as additional CT scan [13][14][15].…”