Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Oncology

Abstract

Tumors and tumor tissue were already being examined using magnetic resonance as early as 1971 (Damadian 1971, Lauterbur 1973). By 1973 the first images had been published (Margulis et al. 1983). From the beginning this method gave promise to play an outstanding role in oncological diagnosis since it provides anatomical information in arbitrary imaging planes or as a threedimensional display and allows tissue to be characterized, a previously unknown possibility. About 7 years have passed since magnetic resonance imaging was introduced as a routine examination method in clinical tumor diagnosis. (Margulis et al. 1983). In the first years the neurocranium and the spinal cord were the primary areas of concern. Now almost all body regions can be examined, as a result of the extraordinarily rapid developments in hardware and software. The demands placed on physicians and diagnosticians were and are extremely high, both in examination techniques and MR image evaluation.