[Magnetic resonance tomography in malignant genital tumors]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable noninvasive method for evaluating the female and male pelvis. The advantages of MRI include direct multiplanar imaging and excellent contrast resolution. The superb soft-tissue contrast provides unique depiction of the characteristic zonal architecture of the uterus, vagina and the prostate. The role of MRI in the pre- and posttherapeutic evaluation of carcinoma of the endometrium, cervix, ovaries, vagina and prostate is described. Our own experience with patients with a suspected tumor recurrence shows that MRI is able to distinguish tumor recurrence from posttherapy fibrosis if the interval between therapy and MRI is more than one year. MRI seems not to be useful in differentiating these entities at an early stage after treatment.