The relationship of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics with race.

Abstract

10 Background: Research has shown that women of different race have differences in tumor biology. Previous studies have shown that mammographic breast density (BD) and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) are associated with breast cancer risk. There is data on the relationship of race and BD, but a dearth of information on the relationship of race and MR imaging characteristics such as fibroglandular tissue (FGT) and BPE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of race with BD, BPE, and FGT in women with breast cancer. Methods: The institutional Breast Cancer Database was queried for all women with newly diagnosed breast cancer from 2010-2015. Variables included age, race, body mass index (BMI), imaging and tumor characteristics. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s Chi Square Tests. Results: A total of 2,092 women were included in this analysis. The median age was 59 years (range 22-95). Majority of patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (62%), early stage (0, I) tumors (71%), ER-positive (84%), PR-positive (71%), and HER2-negative (86%). However, there was a higher proportion of later stage (p < 0.0001) and triple negative (p = 0.002) disease among blacks. Compared to whites, blacks had higher BMI, lower BD and lower BPE, while Asians had lower BMI <, higher BD, higher FGT and higher BPE (see table). Conclusions: As previously described, we found differences among races with respect to tumor histology. However, the differences in imaging characteristics between races are likely accounted for by differences in BMI and may not be directly related to breast carcinogenesis. [Table: see text]