Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed stage I-II adenocarcinoma of the prostate

- At least 6 weeks since prior biopsy

- Scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy within 6 months of MRI and magnetic
resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Not specified

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Not specified

Renal:

- Not specified

Cardiovascular:

- No cardiac pacemakers

Other:

- Must be willing and able to undergo MRI/MRSI

- No allergy to latex

- No contraindications to MRI such as non-compatible intracranial vascular clips

- No metallic hip implant or any other metallic implant or device that would compromise
quality of MRI/MRSI

- No contraindications to or intolerance of endorectal coil insertion (e.g., prior
abdominoperineal resection of the rectum or Crohn's disease)

- No general medical or psychiatric condition or physiologic status unrelated to
prostate cancer that would preclude valid informed consent

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior BCG for bladder cancer

Chemotherapy:

- Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

- No prior androgen-deprivation therapy

Radiotherapy:

- No prior prostatic or rectal radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior cryosurgery

- No prior surgery for prostate cancer

- No prior transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

- No prior rectal surgery

Other:

- No prior complementary alternative medicine