Diffusion-Weighted MRI at 3 T for the Evaluation of Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this article is to review the basic concepts for the biologic basis of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), illustrate its potential clinical applications at 3 T, and discuss its current limitations and future directions. CONCLUSION. The increased signal-to-noise ratio of DWI provided by 3 T compared with 1.5 T may improve tumor detection and staging, determination of tumor aggressiveness, and posttreatment follow-up. Additionally, DWI may be a useful tool to monitor therapeutic effects and guide targeted biopsies, particularly in patients with previously negative biopsy results.