This study shows that MRI using nanoparticles as a contrast agent helps detect prostate cancer spread to lymph nodes that often remain invisible with standard imaging. Healthy lymph nodes absorb the iron oxide ('rust') nanoparticles and become invisible on the scan, while lymph nodes containing cancer do not absorb them and remain visible. This makes it possible to detect even very small metastases. Using an extra-powerful MRI scanner (7 Tesla) produces even sharper images, revealing more suspicious nodes, including those outside the standard radiation areas. This leads to more targeted treatment and reduces the risk of undertreatment. The approach supports personalized care for patients with prostate cancer. This technique also holds promise for other types of cancer.
Ansje Fortuin (1980) studied medicine in Nijmegen and radiology in Deventer. Since 2013, she's a radiologist at Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei, specializing in abdominal and breast radiology. She's active in quality improvement committees, the Dutch Society for Radiology (NVvR), and serves as a professional peer on the medical disciplinary board since 2023.