Akira Kawashima, M.D., Ph.D.

Location

SUMMARY

Akira Kawashima, M.D., Ph.D., is a researcher who specializes in MRI with a particular focus on prostate cancer. His contributions to the field encompass the development and refinement of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) protocols for prostate assessments, which are integral to diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Kawashima applies advanced imaging techniques including MRI-guided biopsy and ablative therapy to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. His research aims to advance imaging methodologies to enhance care and treatment planning for patients with prostate cancer.

Focus areas

• MpMRI. Dr. Kawashima has developed and refined mpMRI protocols for the prostate, contributing to one of the most rapidly growing areas of body MRI practice at Mayo Clinic.
• Local recurrent tumor evaluation. He leads research on the clinical utility of mpMRI for evaluating patients with prostate cancer that recurs after prostatectomy, comparing various imaging techniques to enhance the detection of local recurrence.
• Technical development. Dr. Kawashima provides clinical feedback on new technical developments, identifies relevant evaluation criteria and performs radiological evaluations in multi-patient studies.
• In-bore MRI-guided diagnosis and intervention. He is involved in multiple aspects of interventional MRI techniques for treating prostate cancer, including targeted biopsy and thermal ablative therapy.
• MRI for non-neoplastic conditions. Dr. Kawashima's research also extends to applications of MRI for evaluating patients with non-neoplastic prostate conditions, contributing to the overall understanding and management of these conditions.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Kawashima's research helps healthcare professionals better care for patients by using new imaging techniques to diagnose and plan treatments for prostate cancer. His work with mpMRI helps find tumors more accurately, making biopsies and treatments more precise. This leads to better and more personalized treatment plans for patients with prostate cancer, meeting their needs and improving their health outcomes.

Professional highlights

• Radiological Society of North America:
  • Certificate of merit, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2023, 2024.
  • Cum laude, 2006, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024.
  • Magna cum laude, 1995, 1999, 2012, 2021.
• Site principal investigator, Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for Preoperative Staging and Treatment Planning for Newly-Diagnosed Prostate Cancer, National Cancer Institute, 2019.
• Certificate of merit, American Roentgen Ray Society, 1996, 1999, 2000.