Correlation of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data with cellularity in prostate cancer
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Bashar Zelhof1, Martin Pickles, Gary Liney
1University of Hull, Centrre for MR Investigations, UK. bzelhof@hotmail.com
Objective:
To assess the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cell density (CD) obtained from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.
Patients And Methods:
In all, 36 patients with prostate cancer were recruited; T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI was obtained axially using a 3.0 T scanner. Patients then proceeded to RP; the prostate was whole-mounted and sectioned axially. Slices (3 microm) were cut from the surface of each section and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Five randomly positioned areas from the tumour and normal peripheral zone (PZ) were examined by light microscopy at x 200, then digitally photographed and analysed to obtain automatic CD. ADC values were determined from the MRI data using the H&E slides as a reference. ADC and CD values were measured in both malignant lesions and the PZ, and the correlation between ADC and CD assessed.
Results:
ADC values were lower (P
Conclusions:
ADC values were correlated successfully with CD; this information cannot be obtained with conventional MRI and is useful in characterizing prostate cancer.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from MRI correlates with cell density in prostate cancer. Lower ADC values in tumors indicate higher cell density, aiding in cancer characterization.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Prostate cancer diagnosis and characterization rely on imaging and pathological analysis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive assessment, but correlating imaging features with underlying tissue properties is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from MRI and cell density (CD) in prostate cancer.
- To determine if ADC can serve as a surrogate marker for cellularity in prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- 36 patients with prostate cancer underwent MRI (3.0 T) including T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted sequences.
- Radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens were analyzed histopathologically (H&E staining) to determine cell density (CD).
- Correlation analysis was performed between ADC values from MRI and CD from RP specimens for both tumor and normal peripheral zone (PZ).
Main Results:
- ADC values were significantly lower in tumor regions (1.45 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) compared to normal peripheral zone (1.90 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s).
- Mean cell density was significantly higher in tumor regions (18.89%) versus normal PZ (9.22%).
- A significant negative correlation (r = -0.50, P < 0.001) was found between ADC values and cell density, irrespective of tissue type.
Conclusions:
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is successfully correlated with cell density (CD) in prostate cancer.
- This quantitative MRI-derived information provides insights into tissue cellularity not achievable with conventional MRI.
- ADC measurements show promise for characterizing prostate cancer and assessing tumor aggressiveness.
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