Correlation of diffusion tensor imaging parameters and Gleason scores of prostate cancer

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between the parameters of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), including fractional anisotropy (FA) values, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) map, with the Gleason score of prostate cancer (PCa). A retrospective study of 50 cases of PCa confirmed by biopsy or surgical pathology was performed. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging and DTI scans were conducted in these cases. The 50 cases of PCa were divided into three groups, including low, intermediate and high grade, according to the Gleason score. Post-DTI processing was performed using Neuro 3D software, in order to measure the FA and ADC values, and map the prostate fibers. Differences in FA and ADC values among the various PCa groups were examined using analysis of variance, while the correlation of FA and ADC values with the Gleason score was studied using Pearson correlation analysis. The obtained DTT map clearly demonstrated the spatial structure of the prostate fibers. The fibers of the cancer area were dense without interruption in the low-grade group, sparse and disordered in the intermediate-grade group, and were disordered, sparse or even absent in the high-grade group. The FA values were 0.284±0.313, 0.293±0.347 and 0.369±0.347, respectively, with statistically significant differences observed among the three groups (F=234.533; P<0.05) and between each group (P<0.05). In addition, the FA value of PCa was positively correlated with the Gleason score (r=0.884; P<0.05). The ADC values of the low-, intermediate-and high-grade groups were 1.070±0.072x10 , respectively, which demonstrated statistically significant differences among the three groups (F=49.987; P<0.05) and between each group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the ADC values of PCa were negatively correlated with Gleason score (r=-0.810; P<0.05). In conclusion, there was an association between DTI parameters and Gleason score, which may be used to evaluate the grading and prognosis of PCa.

Diagnostic utility of three Tesla diffusion tensor imaging in prostate cancer: correlation with Gleason score values

“…Furthermore, we found that MD showed negative correlation with Glasson score with statistically significant results (p value = 0.013). These alterations may be because of the progressively dense arrangement of cells in the tumors of high grades; additionally, the extracellular space decreases [17]. This coincides with Tian W, et al [17] who found nearly the same results.…”

“…These alterations may be because of the progressively dense arrangement of cells in the tumors of high grades; additionally, the extracellular space decreases [17]. This coincides with Tian W, et al [17] who found nearly the same results. This is not consistent with Wang S, et al who reported a negative correlation between the values of FA and Gleason scores, signifying that an elevation in Gleason scores will lead to a slowly decrease in the value of FA [25].…”

“…This study was carried out on 50 patients. The highest prevalence of prostate cancer among this study population was between (70 and 79 years old); this copes with the recorded age incidence of prostate cancer [8,17]. Clinically speaking, age is considered a significant nonmodifiable risk factor for PCa [18,19].…”

Application of diffusion tensor tractography in the surgical treatment of brain tumors located in functional areas

“…The traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can reveal the intracranial structure, intracranial tumor size, location and surrounding edema; however, it cannot precisely reveal the shape of the intracranial nerve fibers. With the development of high-field MR and computer technology, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has enabled non-invasive studies of the white matter fiber fascicle (1). DT tractography (DTT), which is developed from DTI, can reflect the pathological state of the white matter fiber fascicle and the anatomical connection with adjacent lesions, and assist the surgeon to design a suitable surgical strategy prior to surgery (2).…”

Imaging in translational cancer research

“…Because water diffusion in biological tissue is often anisotropic, and not isotropic, i.e., equal in all directions, the concept of a diffusion tensor captures and quantifies this (fractional) anisotropy, thus enabling investigation of preferred tracts of diffusion, e.g., along neuronal fibers in brain tissue or peripheral nerves 66 , 67 . Although used primarily in neuro-oncology 68 , this method has also been shown to be beneficial in determining the histological grade of oral carcinoma 69 ; discriminating between small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases 70 ; correlating with Gleason scores in prostate cancer 71 ; or predicting parametrial infiltration in cervical cancer 72 .…”