Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the relationship between the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of breast cancer and its clinicopathological and biological factors.MethodsDynamic MRI parameters of 68 invasive breast carcinomas were investigated. We also analyzed microvessel density (MVD), estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and expression of p53, HER2, ki67, VEGFR-1 and 2.ResultsHomogeneous enhancement was significantly associated with smaller tumor size (T1: < 2 cm) (p = 0.015). Tumors with irregular or spiculated margins had a significantly higher MVD than tumors with smooth margins (p = 0.038). Tumors showing a maximum enhancement peak at two minutes, or longer, after injecting the contrast, had a significantly higher MVD count than those which reached this point sooner (p = 0.012). The percentage of tumors with vascular invasion or high mitotic index was significantly higher among those showing a low percentage (≤ 150%) of maximum enhancement before two minutes than among those ones showing a high percentage (>150%) of enhancement rate (p = 0.016 and p = 0.03, respectively). However, there was a significant and positive association between the mitotic index and the peak of maximum intensity (p = 0.036). Peritumor inflammation was significantly associated with washout curve type III (p = 0.042).ConclusionsVariations in the early phase of dynamic MRI seem to be associated with parameters indicatives of tumor aggressiveness in breast cancer.
Highlights
To investigate the relationship between the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of breast cancer and its clinicopathological and biological factors
The peak of maximum enhancement was more frequently shown by tumors after two min (75%), and a type III curve was shown by a higher percentage of cases
We found significant associations of these MRI parameters with histopathological factors indicative of tumor aggressiveness, suggesting that the preoperative MRI may provide us with clinically useful information in invasive breast cancer
Summary
To investigate the relationship between the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of breast cancer and its clinicopathological and biological factors. There are studies indicating that dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI help to predict prognostic factors and biological activity of breast cancer by revealing morphological features and enhancement parameters of the primary tumors, such as angiogenesis, degree of fibrosis [9], histological grade [10,11], negative expression of estrogen repeptor and progesterone receptor [11], vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression [9] or HER-2 overexpression [12]. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the MRI features of breast cancer and some other of their clinicopathological and biological characteristics, such as vascular invasion, peritumoral inflammation or VEGF-receptor-1 and 2
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
