ABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to obtain information related to biophysical, physiological, metabolical, anatomical, or functional properties of tissues. This chapter highlights the application of diffusion MRI as a molecular imaging approach for oncological imaging. Magnetic gradients are applied to the tissue region, which provide for “encoding” the initial locations of constituent water molecules within the tissue. Treatment-induced volumetric changes occur relatively slowly following treatment. Preceding volumetric shrinkage, tumor cell death occurs resulting in changes in the tumor microenvironment, which can be detected using diffusion MRI. Translation of diffusion indices from animal studies to the clinic can be hampered due to the typically reduced efficacy of treatments, the extended delivery period requiring fractionated dosage schedules of weeks to months, overlap in cytostructural treatment effects such as cellular necrosis, excess water, debris clearance, and cellular repopulation by disease progression.
