The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Changes after Radiation Therapy in Patients with Astrocytoma Cancer and Its Relationship with Tumor Volume-Dose

Abstract

Background: Among the effective and non-invasive factors in predicting and evaluating the treatment outcome of cancerous tumors including cerebral astrocytoma is the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) resulting from diffusion weight imaging (DW-MRI). The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of dose per unit volume of treatment target with ADC changes after radiation therapy. Methods: In this prospective, cross -sectional study, 40 patients with astrocytoma tumor were investigated. From DW-MRI images, each patient performed once before surgery and again 30 to 45 days after radiation therapy to investigate the relationship between. Statistical findings from data analysis showed that the amount of apparent diffusion coefficient after radiation therapy increased significantly and the amount of these changes was directly related to the dose reached per unit volume of treatment. Findings: Performing statistical analysis on the resulting data showed that there is a significant increase in the amount of Apparent diffusion coefficient after radiation therapy, that the amount of these changes is directly related to the Planning target volume and the amount of emission changes in Apparent diffusion coefficient due to receiving radiation in the tumor area. It can be determined by radiation therapy. Conclusion: The results of this research show the advantage of using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images in the treatment design of patients with astrocytoma tumors and selecting the optimal Planning target volume. Also, with the possibility of calculating the secondary apparent diffusion coefficient in the tumor area, which indicates the tumor response and the patient's survival rate, the treatment result can be predicted with appropriate accuracy. © 2022 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.