Yan L, Qu J, Li J, et al. - Quantitative evaluation of T and N staging of gastric cancer (GC) could be achieved with the help of whole tumor histogram analysis parameters derived from StarVIBE (stack-of stars) dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). This way clinical treatment decision optimization can be aided.

• This prospective study involved 87 patients with GC, in whom DCE-MRI were performed prior to surgery, and quantitative DCE parameters (K ^trans , K _ep , V _e ) and histogram metrics (Skewness, Kurtosis and Entropy) were recorded.

• Statistical difference was observed in K ^trans , K _ep , V _e and entropy to detect T staging, and in pairwise comparisons of V _e values demonstrated statistical difference between T1+2 and T3 group, T1+2 and T4 group.

• Statistical differences existed in V _e to identify N staging.

• According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, V _e afforded the best parameter for identifying T staging (AUC: 0.788, sensitivity and specificity: 0.929 and 0.578, respectively) and N staging (AUC: 0.590, sensitivity and specificity: 0.714 and 0.899, respectively).