Analysis of DCE-MRI in Oncology: When Should We Use the Tofts Models?

Steven Sourbron¹, David L. Buckley¹

The Tofts Model (TM) and Extended Tofts Model (ETM) have become a standard for DCE-MRI analysis in oncology, but the scope of the models has never been identified rigourously. In this study, necessary and sufficient conditions are identified for which they can be applied. The TM should only be used if prior knowledge is available which guarantees that the tissue is weakly vascularised. The ETM may also be used in tissues that are known to be highly perfused. In all other conditions, TM and ETM do not produce accurate values - even if they offer a good fit to the data.