Prostate cancer imaging

Abstract

I am honoured to be the guest-editor of this special issue of the European Journal of Radiology which is dedicated to Prostate Cancer Imaging.Imaging plays an important role in the detection, localization, staging and therapy in prostate cancer patients. In the near future novel contrast agents such as a macrophage-specific MR contrast can be used to detect lymph node metastases. In the not distant future image guided interventions and therapies will become available permitting precise biopsies and targeted treatment.In this special issue, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of prostate cancer imaging and therapy. First, Dr. Stijn Heijmink offers a concise review of contrast-enhanced and systematic transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate cancer detection. In the second paper Dr. Olivier Rouvière present the principles, indications and clinical results of endorectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. The diagnostic capability of MR imaging in preoperative staging of prostate cancer is currently being established. The role of MR imaging in staging prostate cancer is discussed in the third paper. Dr. Roberto Alonzi discusses the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging as a non-invasive imaging method in characterization of tissue vascularity. Established clinical roles of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging will be discussed including lesion detection and localization, for tumour staging and for the detection of suspected tumour recurrence. In the fifth paper Dr. Ullrich Mueller-Lisse summarizes current technical and biochemical aspects and clinical applications of proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) of the prostate. Dr. Geert Villeirs reviews some important anatomical landmarks and acquisition protocols relevant to radiotherapy planning and explains the rationale and importance of close collaboration between radiotherapists and radiologists in optimizing radiotherapy for patients with prostate carcinoma. In the last paper Dr. Jelle Barentsz discusses the role of a macrophage-specific MR contrast agent which allows the detection of small and otherwise undetectable lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer. I am honoured to be the guest-editor of this special issue of the European Journal of Radiology which is dedicated to Prostate Cancer Imaging. Imaging plays an important role in the detection, localization, staging and therapy in prostate cancer patients. In the near future novel contrast agents such as a macrophage-specific MR contrast can be used to detect lymph node metastases. In the not distant future image guided interventions and therapies will become available permitting precise biopsies and targeted treatment. In this special issue, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of prostate cancer imaging and therapy. First, Dr. Stijn Heijmink offers a concise review of contrast-enhanced and systematic transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate cancer detection. In the second paper Dr. Olivier Rouvière present the principles, indications and clinical results of endorectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. The diagnostic capability of MR imaging in preoperative staging of prostate cancer is currently being established. The role of MR imaging in staging prostate cancer is discussed in the third paper. Dr. Roberto Alonzi discusses the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging as a non-invasive imaging method in characterization of tissue vascularity. Established clinical roles of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging will be discussed including lesion detection and localization, for tumour staging and for the detection of suspected tumour recurrence. In the fifth paper Dr. Ullrich Mueller-Lisse summarizes current technical and biochemical aspects and clinical applications of proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) of the prostate. Dr. Geert Villeirs reviews some important anatomical landmarks and acquisition protocols relevant to radiotherapy planning and explains the rationale and importance of close collaboration between radiotherapists and radiologists in optimizing radiotherapy for patients with prostate carcinoma. In the last paper Dr. Jelle Barentsz discusses the role of a macrophage-specific MR contrast agent which allows the detection of small and otherwise undetectable lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer.