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Can pre-operative contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging for prostate cancer predict microvessel density in prostatectomy specimens?

European Radiology volume 14, pages 309–317 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to correlate quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE MRI) parameters with microvessel density (MVD) in prostate carcinoma. Twenty-eight patients with biopsy-proven prostate carcinoma were examined by endorectal MRI including multiplanar T2- and T1-weighted spin-echo and dynamic T1-weighted turbo-FLASH MRI during and after intravenous Gd-DTPA administration. Microvessels were stained on surgical specimens using a CD31 monoclonal antibody. The MVD was quantified in hot spots by counting (MVC) and determining the area fraction by morphometry (MVAF). The DCE MRI data were analyzed using an open pharmacokinetic two-compartment model. In corresponding anatomic locations the time shift (Δt) between the beginning of signal enhancement of cancer and adjacent normal prostatic tissue, the degree of contrast enhancement and the contrast exchange rate constant (k21) were calculated. The MVC and MVAF were elevated in carcinoma (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) and correlated to k21 (r=0.62, p<0.001 and r=0.80, p<0.001, respectively). k21-values of carcinoma were significantly higher compared with normal peripheral but not central zone tissue. Δt was longer in high compared with low-grade tumors (p=0.025). The DCE MRI can provide important information about individual MVD in prostate cancer, which may be helpful for guiding biopsy and assessing individual prognosis.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to M. Späth and A. Kappeler for technical assistance.

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Author notes

  1. Heinz-Peter Schlemmer

    Present address: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany

Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncological Diagnostics and Therapy, German Cancer Research Center, University Hospital Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany

    Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, Jonas Merkle & Gerhard van Kaick

  2. Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany

    Rainer Grobholz

  3. Department of Urology, University Hospital Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany

    Tim Jaeger & Maurice Stephan Michel

  4. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany

    Axel Werner & Jan Rabe

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  1. Heinz-Peter Schlemmer
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Correspondence to Heinz-Peter Schlemmer.

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Schlemmer, HP., Merkle, J., Grobholz, R. et al. Can pre-operative contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging for prostate cancer predict microvessel density in prostatectomy specimens?. Eur Radiol 14, 309–317 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2025-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2025-2

Keywords

  • Prostate carcinoma
  • Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging
  • Angiogenesis
  • Microvessel density