Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging in Oncology

Abstract

In this article, we review recent updates in the deployment of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in oncology for disease detection and characterization. We appraise the use of DW-MRI for the evaluation of treatment response, including its emerging role as a predictive and/or prognostic biomarker. We discuss the use of more sophisticated data analysis to derive quantitative parameters, particular those that account for non-mono-exponential signal attenuation behavior of DW-MRI in tissues. Last but not least, we survey the unfulfilled challenges and potential future applications of DW-MRI. Knowledge of the fundamentals of DW-MRI is assumed and will not be discussed.