Role of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of urinary bladder cancer

Abstract

As urinary bladder cancer, especially transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is considered one of our frequently encountered tumors. Cystoscopy although being an invasive technique and may require anesthesia, is the gold standard in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder tumors. Searching for alternative non-invasive diagnostic methods unveiled DWIs which improved notably the diagnostic accuracy of MRI by its high contrast resolution and with the recent discovery of ADC mean value, it became easy to predict tumor behavior and grade. These advantages come to compete with and trying to replace the cystoscopy with its disadvantages. In conclusion, our study shows that MR imaging has a high reliability for the diagnosis and staging of bladder tumors, which is so close to that of the cystoscopy.