Disputation: Endre Grøvik

Master in Physics Endre Grøvik at Department of Physics will be defending the thesis Multimodal Dynamic MRI for Structural and Functional Assessment of Cancer for the degree of Philosophiae doctor.

Trial lecture - time and place

Endre Grøvik

Trial lecture: 10.15 am at Helga Engs hus, Aud 3

Adjudication committee

  • Prof. David L. Buckley, Division of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds.
  • Dr. James O' Connor, Centre for Imaging Sciences, University of Manchester
  • Prof. Eli Olaug Hole, Department of Physics, University of Oslo

Chair of defence

Prof. Heidi Sandaker

Supervisors

  • Dr. Kjell- Inge Gjesdal
  • Prof. Atle Bjørnerud
  • Dr. Trygve Holck Storås
  • Prof. Kathinka Dæhli Kurz

Additional information

In this work, a novel dynamic contrast-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method, called ‘split dynamic MRI’, is presented, which show to improve the differential diagnosis of breast cancer, as compared to conventional MRI interpretations, and facilitate staging of primary rectal cancer and lymph node metastasis. Our results showed a diagnostic accuracy of 96% for distinguishing malignant from benign breast cancer, and 90% when differentiating rectal cancer patients with and without lymph node metastasis.

 

The proposed method has a unique advantage over conventional dynamic MRI, as it provides comprehensive information about both structural and physiological characteristics in the tumour. Consequently, combining these information channels may provide a more extensive characterization of tumour aggressiveness, and thus identify patients in need of either intensified or reduced treatment (personalized treatment).

 

Through mathematical simulations, this work show that the split dynamic MRI method provides reliable information of physiological properties in tumours, as compared to conventional dynamic MRI, without compromising international guidelines concerning image resolution for structural interpretation of breast cancer.

 

Reliable identification of individual tumour aggressiveness may represent a major breakthrough in treatment stratification, as this may enable a more personalized treatment. However, conventional MRI findings are associated with substantial misinterpretation and poor diagnostic accuracy. In this context, our results suggest that the split dynamic MRI method can provide physicians with valuable information for clinical decision making in breast cancer and rectal cancer.

Published Mar. 2, 2017 10:19 AM - Last modified Mar. 16, 2017 9:03 AM