ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and Dynamic Contrast-enhancement (DCE-MRI) with 1.5 T MR scanner in diagnosing prostate cancer. MethodsFrom April 2011 to December 2012, based on the results of biopsy, we measured 216 regions of interest (ROIs) in images of MRS and DCE-MRI, comprised of 131 ROIs from cancer zone and 85 ROIs from non-cancer zone. The data were analyzed with statistical methods, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThere were significant differences between the malignant group and the benign group (P<0.05) in Cit integral, Cho integral, CC/Cit ratio, the type of time-signal intensity curve, initial value, enhancement rate and ratio of enhancement. According to ROC curve, the area under curve (AUC) of CC/Cit and enhancement rate was 0.853 and 0.719, respectively. AUC of time to peak, time difference, enhancement rate and Cit integral was lower than 0.400. The optimal operating point (OOP) of CC/Cit was 0.775, with a specificity of 0.85 and a sensitivity of 0.79, and the AUC was 0.853. The OOP of the ratio of enhancement was 60.89, with a specificity of 0.66 and a sensitivity of 0.71, and the AUC was 0.719. ConclusionMRS is more sensitive and specific than DCE-MRI to diagnose prostate cancer when an 1.5 T MR scanner is used. On the other hand, MRS is susceptible to interference, but DCE-MRI can make up for these deficiencies.