Patterns of disease progression in patients with local and metastatic breast cancer as evaluated by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging

Breast. 2018 Aug:40:82-84. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2018.04.019. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

Abstract

Background: Patterns of progressive disease (PD) in patients with local and metastatic sites of breast cancer are poorly described. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) identifies PD earlier than CT.

Methods: Thirty-one patients receiving first-line systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) were studied. Data were obtained from original WB-MRI reports.

Results: First PD was reported at metastatic sites only in 77.4%, and at local and metastatic sites concurrently in 22.6%. None had first PD only in local disease, or clinical PD before PD on WB-MRI.

Conclusion: Clinical evidence of SACT benefit in local disease may give false reassurance about disease at metastatic sites.

Keywords: Metastatic breast cancer; Response assessment; Whole-body MRI.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Protocols
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods*