In vivo MR spectroscopy predicts high tumor grade in endometrial cancer

BackgroundIn vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) enables non-invasive measurements of tumor metabolites. Choline-containing metabolites play a key role in tumor metabolism.PurposeTo explore whether preoperative MRS-derived tumor choline levels are associated with clinical and histological features in endometrial carcinomas.Material and MethodsPreoperative pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1.5T), including structural and diffusion-weighted imaging and localized multivoxel proton MR (1H-MR) spectroscopy, was performed in 77 prospectively included patients with histologically confirmed endometrial carcinomas. Relative levels of total choline-containing metabolites (tCho) in tumor and myometrium were measured using the ratios: tCho/Creatine; tCho/Water; and tCho/Noise. MRS parameters were analyzed in relation to histological subtype and grade, surgicopathological staging parameters, MRI-measured tumor volume, and tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and clinical outcome.ResultsTumor ...