Comparison of Vascularity Characteristics Between Primary Tumor & Metastatic Nodes in Head & Neck Cancer by DCE- & IVIM-MRI

Yonggang Lu¹, Jacobus F. A. Jansen², Hilda E. Stambuk¹, Nancy Lee¹, Jason A. Koutcher¹, Amita Shukla-Dave¹

This study compares DCE- and IVIM- MRI derived parameters reflecting tumor vascularity between the primary tumor and neck nodal metatases. The initial results with twelve patients revealed that metastatic nodes have significant higher diffusion coefficients (ADC-apparent diffusion coefficient and D-pure diffusion coefficient) than primary tumors but showed no significant difference in perfusion properties. Additionally, a significant correlation of parameters D and ve (extravascular extracellular space) between primary tumor and neck nodal metastases was observed. These findings after validation in larger patient population and with appropriate molecular correlates may provide better understanding of the underlying tumor biology, and help in treatment planning.