The value of magnetic resonance blood oxygen level-dependent imaging in evaluating the efficacy of advanced cervical cancer combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND
Blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) is an imaging method used to analyze oxygenation status of the tumor.


PURPOSE
To investigate the feasibility of BOLD-MRI in evaluating the efficacy of advanced cervical cancer combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
This prospective study included 85 patients with advanced cervical cancer who received BOLD-MRI examination before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy from October 2020 to December 2021. To investigate the changes of baseline R2* values and △R2* values of cervical cancers before and after treatment.


RESULTS
29 cases were complete response, 34 cases were partial response, and 22 cases showed progression. The baseline R2* values of the tumors were lower than that of the normal cervical muscle (P < 0.0001). After oxygen stimulation, the baseline R2* values of the tumors decreased (P = 0.012). After treatment, the baseline R2* values of the tumors increased (P = 0.007), and the dynamic △R2* values of the tumors decreased (P = 0.025). The baseline R2* value of the complete response was the highest (P = 0.000), the dynamic △R2* value of the complete response was the lowest (P = 0.017).


CONCLUSION
BOLD-MRI can evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced cervical cancer.