This pilot clinical trial studies how well diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) works in staging patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. New imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted MRI, may be a less invasive way of predicting the stage and grade of prostate cancer.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of diffusion-weighted MRI for pathologic T3 stage prostate cancer using a 3 Tesla (3T) magnet with a surface coil.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo diffusion-weighted MRI of the pelvis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Biopsy-documented adenocarcinoma of the prostate which is intermediate or high risk, defined as possessing one or more of the following features:

  • Gleason >= 7
  • > 50% biopsy cores +
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >= 10

• Interested in undergoing a radical prostatectomy as definitive management for prostate cancer

• No clinical or radiographic evidence for distant metastatic disease

  • In subjects with PSA < 20 no radiographic staging is required in the absence of clinical symptoms for distant metastatic disease; for those with PSA > 20, a bone scan must document lack of concern for bone involvement

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ineligible for surgery due to cardiac, pulmonary, or other major comorbidity factor
• History of claustrophobia
• Pacemaker or other implanted metal objects which would make subject ineligible for MRI, per standard criteria
• Unable to give written informed consent