With synthetic correlated diffusion, better and faster cancer diagnosis should...
With synthetic correlated diffusion, better and faster cancer diagnosis should be possible.

Source: Pixabax/jarmoluk

News • Cancer imaging

MRI 2.0 lights up cancerous tissue

Synthetic correlated diffusion is a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that makes cancerous tissue glow in medical images could help doctors more accurately detect and track the progression of cancer over time.

The innovation, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo, creates images in which cancerous tissue appears to light up compared to healthy tissue, making it easier to see. "Our studies show this new technology has promising potential to improve cancer screening, prognosis and treatment planning," said Alexander Wong, Canada Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging and a professor of systems design engineering at Waterloo.

Irregular packing of cells leads to differences in the way water molecules move in cancerous tissue compared to healthy tissue. The new technology, called synthetic correlated diffusion imaging, highlights these differences by capturing, synthesizing and mixing MRI signals at different gradient pulse strengths and timings.

In the largest study of its kind, the researchers collaborated with medical experts at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, several Toronto hospitals and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research to apply the technology to a cohort of 200 patients with prostate cancer.

Compared to standard MRI techniques, synthetic correlated diffusion imaging was better at delineating significant cancerous tissue, making it a potentially powerful tool for doctors and radiologists.

"Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in more developed countries. "That's why we targeted it first in our research. ," said Wong, also a director of the Vision and Image Processing (VIP) Lab at Waterloo. "We also have very promising results for breast cancer screening, detection, and treatment planning. This could be a game-changer for many kinds of cancer imaging and clinical decision support."

Source: University of Waterloo

22.03.2022

Read all latest stories

Related articles

Photo

News • DBT vs. standard digital mammography

Huge study shows: Tomosynthesis better at breast cancer detection

In a study of over a million women, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) showed improved breast cancer screening outcomes over screening with standard digital mammography alone.

Photo

News • Imaging study shows

Breast MRI effective at detecting cancer in dense breasts

Compared to other common supplemental screening methods, breast MRI was superior at detecting breast cancer in women with dense breasts, according to a new study.

Photo

Article • Mammography supplement

Breast MRI screening for women with high-risk lesions – is it necessary?

Women with high-risk breast lesions (HRLs) and no family history of breast cancer or BRCA mutations are generally considered to be at moderate risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer…

Related products

Advanced Breast-CT - nu:view

Mammo CT

AB-CT · Advanced Breast-CT - nu:view

AB-CT – Advanced Breast-CT GmbH
Amulet Innovality

Tomosynthesis

Fujifilm · Amulet Innovality

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH
Amulet Innovality Harmony

Tomosynthesis

Fujifilm · Amulet Innovality Harmony

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH
Brevera

Biopsy Units

Hologic · Brevera

Hologic, Inc.
CL-S500

Displays – Mammo

JVC · CL-S500

JVCKENWOOD Deutschland GmbH
Subscribe to Newsletter