Research progress of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of pancreatic cancer shows rising trend and higher mortality. Pancreatic cancer lacks early diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and specificity, and the surgical resection rate is 10 %-20 % with high operation mortality, poor long-term curative effect and less than 5 % survival rate within 5 years. At present, researchers indicate that radiotherapy can improve the quality of life, increase tumor local control rate and prolong the overall survival time of patients with pancreatic cancer in different levels. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), as a functional imaging technology of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is the only way to react cell levels. This paper will summarize the application of DWI in radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms; Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging; Apparent diffusion coefficient; Radiotherapy