Pelvic malignancy: integrating form and function

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Morphological imaging is vital for cancer management but limited in assessing tumor biology.
• There is a need for imaging techniques that combine anatomical information with functional and molecular data.
• Pelvic malignancies present unique challenges for current imaging modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the role of clinical functional and molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in oncology.
• To emphasize the application of these advanced MRI techniques in pelvic malignancy.
• To advocate for the radiological sciences to lead the clinical translation of molecular and functional imaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on functional and molecular MRI in cancer.
• Focus on applications and potential in pelvic cancer imaging.
• Discussion of the integration of form and function in imaging.

Main Results:

• Functional and molecular MRI provide insights into tumor microenvironment and behavior.
• These techniques enhance the understanding of cancer biology beyond anatomical assessment.
• Significant potential exists for advanced MRI in diagnosing and monitoring pelvic cancers.

Conclusions:

• Functional and molecular MRI are essential for a comprehensive understanding of cancer.
• Radiological sciences must spearhead the translation of these techniques for clinical use.
• Imaging for drug development represents a key area for future advancement in molecular and functional MRI.