Enhancing lymphoma staging: Unveiling the potential and challenges of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Lambert et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Radiology. The focus of the editorial is to explore the advancements in whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) technology, its current clinical applications, and the challenges that must be addressed to fully realize its potential in oncological imaging. WB-MRI has emerged as a pivotal tool in oncological imaging, offering comprehensive disease assessment without ionizing radiation. Its applications span the detection of bone metastases, evaluation of hematologic malignancies, and staging of a wide range of cancers, including lymphoma, prostate, and breast cancers. Advanced techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging have enhanced its diagnostic performance by providing superior lesion-to-background contrast and quantitative metrics. Despite its diagnostic strengths, WB-MRI faces challenges in standardization, patient acceptance, and integration into clinical workflows. Variability in acquisition protocols, hardware differences, and patient-related factors, such as anxiety and motion artifacts, have limited widespread adoption. Emerging guidelines like MET-RADS-P and ONCO-RADS aim to address these issues by promoting standardized protocols tailored to specific clinical needs. This editorial explores the advancements in WB-MRI technology, its current clinical applications, and the barriers that must be overcome to maximize its utility. By addressing these challenges and embracing standardization, WB-MRI holds the potential to redefine the landscape of oncological imaging, aligning diagnostic precision with modern treatment goals of reducing long-term patient risk.

Key Words: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Lymphoma staging; Oncological imaging; Diagnostic performance; Cancer screening; Tumor burden assessment

Core Tip: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) has revolutionized oncological imaging by offering a radiation-free alternative for comprehensive disease assessment across various malignancies. The integration of diffusion-weighted imaging enhances lesion detection and staging accuracy, positioning WB-MRI as a promising alternative to conventional imaging methods like computed tomography and FDG-PET. Despite its high diagnostic performance, the clinical adoption of WB-MRI has been limited due to insufficient prospective data and challenges in patient acceptance.

INTRODUCTION

This editorial provides a commentary on the article “Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging provides accurate staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, but is less preferred by patients”, authored by Lambert et al[1] and published in the World Journal of Radiology. The study contributes to the evolving landscape of oncological imaging, particularly highlighting the potential of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) as an alternative to conventional modalities.

Lymphomas constitute approximately 5% of all malignancies, ranking as the sixth most common cancer in the Western world. Accurate staging is essential due to its direct impact on prognosis and treatment strategies. Currently, computed tomography (CT) in conjunction with FDG-PET is the standard for staging lymphoma[2]. However, the reliance on ionizing radiation inherent to these methods raises significant concerns, particularly for younger patients and those requiring serial imaging. Advances in therapeutic outcomes for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have shifted attention toward minimizing long-term adverse effects, including secondary malignancies induced by cumulative radiation exposure[3].

In this context, WB-MRI offers a promising, radiation-free alternative with enhanced diagnostic capabilities through diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The study by Lambert et al[1] advances our understanding of the diagnostic accuracy of WB-MRI in staging lymphoma while identifying patient-related barriers to its broader clinical adoption.

KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Lambert et al[1] provide compelling evidence of WB-MRI’s diagnostic potential in the staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. When compared with positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT), WB-MRI demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.99 in evaluating nodal involvement across 182 Lymphatic sites. Moreover, both modalities achieved perfect concordance (κ = 1.0) in staging, underscoring WB-MRI’s efficacy as a potential alternative to PET/CT.

Among the evaluated protocols, DWI with background suppression and contrast-enhanced T1 sequences demonstrated the highest diagnostic utility, with respective mean utility scores of 3.71 and 2.64 on a 5-point scale. These findings suggest that a streamlined WB-MRI protocol incorporating these sequences could optimize diagnostic performance while reducing scan time. However, patient reluctance to undergo WB-MRI, attributed to its prolonged duration and enclosed scanning environment, was a notable limitation[4].

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

WB-DWI leverages the increased cellularity and reduced extracellular space of malignancies, allowing for superior detection and characterization of lesions[5]. This technique exhibits high sensitivity and specificity in small-cell tumors such as lymphoma, breast cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors, and it is particularly effective in identifying small lesions that exhibit diffusion restriction[6].

WB-DWI’s diagnostic advantage extends to tumors with low metabolic activity, including low-grade lymphomas and neuroendocrine tumors, where PET/CT often demonstrates reduced sensitivity. Furthermore, WB-DWI offers superior anatomical resolution in regions with high physiological 18F-FDG uptake, such as the brain, bladder, and renal collecting system, where PET/CT accuracy is often compromised[7,8].

VERSATILITY IN DIAGNOSIS AND LONGITUDINAL MANAGEMENT

A major strength of WB-DWI lies in its quantitative capabilities, such as tracking changes in apparent diffusion coefficient values, which reflect tumor cellularity and microenvironmental alterations. These quantitative parameters facilitate precise assessment of treatment response and longitudinal disease monitoring using criteria such as the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1[9]. The Oncologically Relevant Findings Reporting and Data System (ONCO-RADS) provides a standardized framework for WB-MRI acquisition, interpretation, and reporting. By reducing variability and enhancing communication, ONCO-RADS ensures consistent and accurate imaging assessments, supporting WB-MRI’s role in lymphoma staging and management[10].

Importantly, WB-MRI eliminates the risks associated with ionizing radiation, making it a safer option for vulnerable populations, including pediatric and pregnant patients. Its radiation-free nature aligns with contemporary oncological practices focused on minimizing long-term toxicity and enhancing survivorship outcomes in high-survival malignancies such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Despite its advantages, widespread adoption of WB-MRI faces several challenges. The study highlights patient discomfort and procedural duration as significant barriers to acceptance. Technological advancements aimed at reducing scan time and enhancing the patient experience, such as the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms, faster imaging sequences or open MRI systems, are critical to addressing these limitations[10]. Additionally, WB-MRI’s diagnostic effectiveness varies depending on tumor histology, grade, and anatomical location. Further research is warranted to refine imaging protocols and validate WB-MRI across diverse oncological settings. Comparative cost-effectiveness studies against PET/CT are also essential to justify its integration into routine clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

The study by Lambert et al[1] highlights the potential of WB-DWI as a radiation-free alternative for staging diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, offering high diagnostic accuracy and safety, particularly for vulnerable populations. Its ability to detect small lesions and assess treatment response quantitatively positions WB-DWI as a valuable tool in modern oncological imaging. Despite these advantages, challenges such as patient discomfort and technical limitations must be addressed to facilitate broader clinical adoption. Continued research and protocol optimization are essential to integrate WB-DWI into standard imaging workflows, advancing safer and more precise lymphoma management.