Dear AuntMinnie Member,
A new quantitative technique promises to make MRI for prostate cancer even better. Researchers from the University of Chicago are reporting on their experience with hybrid multidimensional MRI, which analyzes three areas of the prostate that are known to change in the presence of cancer.
The technique addresses a major drawback of existing prostate MRI techniques -- namely, that they are based on the subjective interpretation of multiple scanning sequences by a radiologist and thus aren't exactly reproducible. This means that MRI can still miss 20% to 30% of prostate cancers.
Find out how the new technique works by clicking here, or visit the community at mri.auntminnie.com.
Lung cancer in women
Disturbing news was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the prevalence of lung cancer in women. Researchers found that the incidence rate of lung cancer in white women is now higher than it is in white men, flipping the historical trend of higher lung cancer rates in men.
The findings come on the heels of research published earlier this week indicating that cancer death rates are not falling as fast in women as they are in men -- with lung cancer being one of the cancers with the greatest disparity.
What's causing the difference? Most likely smoking plays a role, but it's not just smoking prevalence, the authors said. Learn more by clicking here.
While you're in our Women's Imaging Community, check out this article on a study by researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center, who found that second-opinion reads of mammograms from outside facilities revealed additional cancers.
Get these stories and more in the community at women.auntminnie.com.
Online radiology forums heat up
Finally, be sure to read a new story about how traffic to the online radiology forums at AuntMinnie.com and Student Doctor Network rose and fell with the attractiveness of radiology as a specialty to medical students. But the authors also believe there is a downside -- shockingly -- to relying on posts from anonymous people for information when picking your radiology residency. Read the article and then head over to our Forums to discuss.
