Early Detection of Response to Radiation Therapy in Patients With Brain Malignancies Using Conventional and High b-Value Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The significant correlation between changes in diffusion parameters 1 week after initiating treatment and later tumor response or no response suggests the feasibility of using DWMRI for early, noninvasive prediction of tumor response. The ability to predict response may enable early termination of treatment in nonresponding patients, prevent additional toxicity, and allow for early changes in treatment.