Synthetic Correlated Diffusion Imaging Hyperintensity Delineates Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer

TL;DR

This study introduces synthetic correlated diffusion imaging (CDI$^s$), a new MRI technique that effectively detects and delineates clinically significant prostate cancer, outperforming standard MRI methods in a large patient cohort.

Contribution

The paper presents the first large-scale evaluation of CDI$^s$, demonstrating its potential as a powerful biomarker for prostate cancer detection and delineation.

Findings

CDI$^s$ hyperintensity strongly indicates prostate cancer presence.

CDI$^s$ outperforms T2w, DWI, and DCE in delineating significant cancer tissue.

Results suggest CDI$^s$ could improve prostate cancer screening accuracy.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in more developed countries. The prognosis of PCa is excellent if detected at an early stage, making early screening crucial for detection and treatment. In recent years, a new form of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging called correlated diffusion imaging (CDI) was introduced, and preliminary results show promise as a screening tool for PCa. In the largest study of its kind, we investigate the relationship between PCa presence and a new variant of CDI we term synthetic correlated diffusion imaging (CDI$^s$), as well as its performance for PCa delineation compared to current standard MRI techniques (T2-weighted (T2w) imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging) across a cohort of 200 patient cases. Statistical analyses reveal that hyperintensity in CDI$^s$ is a strong indicator of PCa presence and achieves strong delineation of clinically significant cancerous tissue compared to T2w, DWI, and DCE. These results suggest that CDI$^s$ hyperintensity may be a powerful biomarker for the presence of PCa, and may have a clinical impact as a diagnostic aid for improving PCa screening.