Prostate cancer: opportunities for magnetic resonance imaging

The prevalence of prostate cancer has been rapidly increasing. This type of cancer has moved to the top ranked place, in terms of prevalence, among all of the male cancers. Both clinicians and researchers are developing methods for early prostate cancer diagnosis that will enable health care professionals to provide patients with timely treatment, thus preserving their quality of life. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming a 'one-stop-shop' method for the non-invasive diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. There has been a significant increase in the number of tomographs performed in Russia; however, there remains heterogeneity in both the distribution of new equipment and the principles of its use. Hence, indications for MRI in prostate cancer patients vary considerably by foci and physicians, contrast media are not routinely applied, and modern MRI equipment is used inappropriately.