Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques for Post-Treatment Evaluation After External Beam Radiation Therapy of Prostate Cancer: Narrative Review.

Background/

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of advanced techniques of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the role of MRI in detecting BCR of PCa patients after external beam radiation therapy.

Results

National guidelines do not recommend imaging techniques in clinical follow-up PCa. However, in 2021, the European Association of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR), the European Association of Urological Imaging (ESUI), and the PI-RADS Steering Committee introduced the Prostate Imaging for Recurrence Reporting (PI-RR) system. PI-RR incorporates the MRI biomarkers in the post-treatment process. In the last decade, a growing number of clinical researchers have investigated the role of various MRI techniques in BCR.

Conclusions

The integration of advanced MRI technologies into clinical routine marks the beginning of a new era of BCR with accuracy.