Hyperpolarized 13C MR Imaging of Lactate in Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (LACC) Cervical Cancer

The purpose of this study is to image tumour lactate in study participants with locally advanced cervical cancer. Our hypothesis is that lactate content in cervical tumours, as measured by hyperpolarized 13C Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, will correlate with diffusion-weighted MRI and 18FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography). Furthermore, lactate imaging will potentially provide additional and more specific information regarding the metabolic activity of cervical tumours, thereby identifying regions of radiation resistance and guiding radiation treatment and brachytherapy.