Role of Multiparametric-MRI in Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review This narrative review article aims to show the actual role of imaging, in particular MRI, and the role of VI-RADS Score, in recognition and follow-up of the tumor. Recent Findings A team of professionals created VI-RADS with the goal of standardizing the acquisition and interpretation of multiparametric-MRI in bladder cancer. Summary Bladder cancer is the most common cancer involving the urinary system. It is the fourth most common urological cancer in men and the second most frequent cancer affecting the urinary tract. Main risks factors are advanced age, male sex, and cigarette smoking. Bladder cancer ranges from unaggressive and usually non-invasive tumors that recur and commit patients to long-term invasive surveillance, to aggressive and invasive tumors with high disease-specific mortality. At the time of diagnosis, 70% of patients are experiencing non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Vesical imaging-reporting and data system score (VI-RADS) is a scoring system useful to standardize the approach to multiparametric-MRI interpretation, and reporting for bladder cancer.