Apparent diffusion coefficient in the analysis of prostate cancer

The multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MPMRI) approach, has allowed the diagnostic performance in the detection and characterization of prostate cancer (PCa). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), is an important technique in the MPMRI, that provides qualitative and quantitative biological information regarding water diffusivity in a non-invasive manner. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measures water mobility and can be quantified from the signal intensity loss between two or more b-values. Different studies reported that ADC values are directly associated with microvessel density and cellularity. One of the main aspects that is in discussion is the b-values that must be used in the DWI sequence in order to compute ADC.