Diffusion-weighted MRI and PSA correlations in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation and hormonal therapy.

AIM To investigate the correlation between signal intensity (SI) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation and hormonal therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-four patients with prostate cancer treated with hormonal therapy and radiation therapy were evaluated. Areas with high SI on DWI were detected and the apparent diffusion co-efficient (ADC) values were measured. The ADC values and PSA levels were compared between patients with high-DWI SI and patients with a normal DWI signal. RESULTS Fourteen patients had high SI on DWI. The mean ADC value in these cancerous lesions was lower than in non-cancerous tissues. The mean PSA level in patients with high-DWI SI was significantly higher than in patients with a normal signal. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that SI on DWI appears to correlate with PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation and hormonal therapy.