Prostate cancer staging

A five-center National Cancer Institute-funded study to evaluate and compare the relative value of MR imaging and endorectal US in the staging of prostate cancer was initiated in November 1987. From mid-November 1987 to July 27, 199, 183 subjects were enrolled. All subjects underwent radical prostatectomies and prospective MR and endorectal US evaluation of the prostate and surrounding structures prior to surgery. Images were compared with the whole-mount prostate specimens. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) the relative abilities of MR imaging and endorectal US to detect the size of the cancer, capsular extension, seminal vesicle involvement, and lymph node involvement; (2) MR evaluation of the signal intensity differences of various lesions; (3) endorectal US determination of the echogenic characteristics of clinical stage A and B prostate cancers and the echogenic characteristics of cancerous and noncancerous areas