Prostate Cancer / Prostate MR FAQs

What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a cancer that affects the prostate gland. Typically this type of cancer is slow growing. Early detection is important. There are many treatment options including surgery, radiation, hormone therapy and watchful waiting. Treatment options should be discussed with your physician as treatment options are based on each individual.

What is Prostate MR?
Prostate MR is the imaging of prostate gland under MRI. Prostate MRI can be done with just a torso/pelvic coil or with a combination of an endorectal coil and torso/pelvic coil. However, endorectal Prostate MRI offers the most superior imaging of the gland, which can help in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Endorectal Prostate MRI can offer excellent image quality, due to the proximity of the coil to the gland.

How does endorectal MRI help in the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer?
MRI provides excellent image quality for a more accurate look at the prostate gland. MRI uses magnetic fields to image the gland. This superior resolution offered by MRI can enable physicians to guide biopsies, determine cancer stage, differentiate between intracapsular and extracapsular extension, determine seminal vesicle invasion, and determine treatment path for the patient.

When should I consider requesting a Prostate MRI?
Prostate MR can be particularly useful in following cases:

• A patient has an increasing PSA level and a negative biopsy. The detailed information provided by MRI can lead the doctor to the area most suspicious for disease, increasing the chance of obtaining a comprehensive biopsy.
• In determining cancer stage by differentiating between extracapsular and intracapsular extensions and detecting seminal vesicle invasion.
• Patients who have local recurrence - PSA level following radical prostatectomy. MRI can evaluate the periprostetic bed for abnormal tissue.
• In planning radiation treatment therapy for a patient. It is important the radiation be targeted to the affected area. MRI can provide a clear picture in helping the oncologist guide the therapy that is most suited to a particular patient.

What can I expect during a MRI scan of the Prostate?
MRI is most powerful when obtained with an endorectal coil. This coil is placed in the rectum at the start of the exam. The coil is placed rectally because it provides the greatest amount of signal when placed near the gland. This increased signal from the endorectal coil helps to provide excellent resolution (image quality).

The total exam time is about 40 minutes. Patients may be asked to restrict diet for a short period prior to the exam. Each institution has a patient prep procedure, and that will be explained at the time of scheduling the examination.

Which institutions currently offer MRI?
Here is a list of key sites that offer endorectal Prostate MRI. Please consult with your local MRI Center to see if they also offer Endorectal MRI Imaging of the Prostate.

Where can I obtain additional information on MRI imaging of the Prostate?
MRI images and case study information can be obtained by visiting the eCoil™ page on the MEDRAD Web site at http://www.medrad.com/products/mr/mr-coils/ecoil.html