Abstract

Correct diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer are essential in administration of effective therapy. Although MR imaging has a limited role in detection of prostate cancer, it may be helpful in patients with high suspicion and negative initial biopsy.

MR imaging showed a good potential for the preoperative staging of established prostate cancer in a preselected subgroup of patients with a moderate or high prior probability of developing extracapsular disease. The results of MR staging should be interpreted in combination with clinical findings. The reader’s experience plays an important role in the ability to interpret prostate MR images, contributing also largely to interobserver variability.