O papel da ressonância magnética em doentes com tumor vesical

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary tract. It is associated with significant morbidity and long‐term follow‐up using invasive procedures, like cystoscopy.

The initial diagnosis and staging are dependent on the histopathologic analysis of resected or biopsed samples. However, it is associated with significant under‐staging, often requiring multiple re‐staging procedures.

With the recent advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques, namely Diffusion Weighted images, it has become possible to improve the detection rate of suspicious lesions and their extension to the deep layers of the bladder wall, therefore improving staging. It is also possible to detect recurrent tumours during follow‐up and even to predict the progression rate.

With this work, the authors intend to review the current literature regarding the role of Magnetic Resonance imaging in the detection, staging and follow‐up of bladder cancer patients.