Contrast Enhanced MRI of the Prostate

The aim of the study is to perform contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at OHSU on subjects with diagnosed prostate cancer. This pilot project will study 20 subjects prior to their next scheduled clinical procedures (biopsy or radical prostatectomy). Data from this project will be used to explore new capabilities of the software platform developed under current SBIR funding. CE-MRI will involve the use of an extracellular (Gadolinium based, Gd) contrast agent. When Gd is used, (dynamic-contrast-enhanced) DCE-MRI signal intensity time-course data will be analyzed analytically using the so called "shutter-speed" paradigm which takes into account of the effects of finite water exchange kinetics. Region of interest (ROI) and high resolution (\~millimeter) parametric maps of pathophysiologic quantities, such as tumor vessel permeability, tumor perfusion, extracellular extravascular volume fraction, will be generated from the DCE-MRI data. All parameters will be compared to literature results for software validation and correlated with pathology for clinical potential.