In Vivo Quantification of Water Diffusion, Stiffness, and Tissue Fluidity in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Tomoelastography provides quantitative maps of tissue mechanical parameters of the prostate. Prostate cancer is characterized by stiff tissue properties and reduced water diffusion, whereas, at the same time, tissue fluidity is increased, suggesting greater mechanical friction inside the lesion. This biophysical signature correlates with known histopathological features including increased cell density and fibrous protein accumulation.