Morphological MR features and quantitative ADC evaluation in invasive breast cancer: Correlation with prognostic factors

Abstract

Objective: Assess the correlation between MRI characteristics of invasive breast cancer and tumor prognostic features.

Materials and methods: 95 women with invasive breast cancer underwent pre-treatment MR. Morphological findings and quantitative ADC were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: Smaller size, round shape, spiculated margins and homogeneous internal enhancement pattern on dynamic MRI were independently associated with established predictors of good prognosis, while larger size and rim enhancement pattern were related to predictors of poor prognosis. A positive correlation was observed between ADC value and clinical stage.

Conclusions: MRI may be a useful tool for breast cancer aggressiveness prediction and for guiding subsequent clinical-therapeutic management.

Keywords: ADC; Breast cancer; MRI; Prognostic factors.