Cancer Detection and Surveillance Pathways with Abbreviated MRI in the Prostate, Pancreas, and Liver: A Risk-Stratified Narrative Review.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an essential role in cancer detection and surveillance, yet complete MRI (C-MRI) protocols are lengthy, resource-intensive, and may limit access within population-level cancer care pathways. Abbreviated MRI (A-MRI) protocols have emerged as a streamlined alternative that may preserve diagnostic performance while reducing examination time, cost, and IV contrast exposure. We conducted a narrative review of studies published between 2015 and 2025 evaluating A-MRI in prostate cancer detection and surveillance, pancreatic cystic lesion surveillance, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. Evidence was synthesized qualitatively with emphasis on potential advantages, limitations, guideline positions, and evidence gaps. Across the organ systems assessed, A-MRI may demonstrate diagnostic performance comparable to C-MRI in selected clinical contexts. Biparametric MRI has demonstrated noninferior detection of clinically significant prostate cancer; non-contrast A-MRI may be considered for the surveillance of selected low-risk pancreatic cystic lesions, and A-MRI may offer higher sensitivity than ultrasound for HCC surveillance in patients with suboptimal ultrasound visualization. Heterogeneity in the available literature and limited prospective outcome data remain important limitations. Overall, A-MRI represents a complementary, risk-adapted strategy rather than a universal replacement for C-MRI, and further prospective studies are needed to define optimal patient selection and long-term oncologic benefit.