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  • The Value of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessing the Response of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

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Cervical Cancer
The Value of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessing the Response of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
  1. Chun Fu, MD*,
  2. Dujun Bian, MD†,
  3. Fengying Liu, BS*,
  4. Xiaoyan Feng, MS*,
  5. Wanping Du, BS† and
  6. Xiangquan Wang, MS*
  1. *Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics and
  2. †Departments of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China.
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Chun Fu, MD, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Rd, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People’s Republic of China. E-mail: csxyfc{at}sina.com.

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) both in the sagittal and axial planes could be used to assess the response of LACC to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Methods Thirty women with LACC received conventional magnetic resonance imaging and DWI at 3 different times (before NACT, 2 weeks after the first NACT, and 2 weeks after the second NACT). Treatment response was determined according to the change in tumor size 2 weeks after the second NACT, and they were classified as the effective group and the ineffective group. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were compared between 2 imaging planes, and dynamic changes in ADCs were observed in different chemotherapy-sensitive groups and imaging planes. One-way analysis of variance was calculated between those ADC parameters and tumor response.

Results The effective chemotherapy rate was 76.67%. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of the axial plane at 3 different times were 0.88 (SD, 0.08) × 10−3 mm2/s, 0.96 (SD, 0.10) × 10−3 mm2/s, and 1.19 (SD, 0.11) × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. Meanwhile, ADC values of the sagittal planes were 0.89 (SD, 0.09) × 10−3 mm2/s, 0.97 (SD, 0.12) × 10−3 mm2/s, and 1.19 (SD, 0.12) × 10−3 mm2/s at 3 different stages. There were no statistical differences between the ADC values of the 2 planes at 3 different times (P = 0.927, P = 0.863, P = 0.946). Apparent diffusion coefficients 2 weeks after the first NACT were significantly increased compared with those before chemotherapy both in the axial and sagittal planes (P = 0.003, P = 0.012). In the ineffective group, ADCs 2 weeks after the first NACT were not statistically higher than those before chemotherapy (axial planes, P = 0.694; sagittal planes, P = 0.900). After 2 weeks of the first NACT, ADCs in both planes were obviously increased in the effective group than those in the ineffective group (P = 0.043, P = 0.022).

Conclusions The axial and sagittal DWI may detect the changes in LACC after therapy. Apparent diffusion coefficient values measured both in the 2 planes may be used to evaluate the response of LACC to NACT.

  • Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
  • Locally advanced cervical cancer
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
  • Sagittal and axial planes imaging

https://doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e31825736d7

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    Footnotes

    • This work was supported by National Science Foundation of Hunan Province of the People’s Republic of China (10JJ6044), Hunan Science and Technology Department Project of the People’s Republic of China (2009SK3161, 2011FJ3008), and Scientific Research Foundation of Hunan Provincial Health Bureau of the People’s Republic of China (B2009022).

    • The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.