Molecular imaging of the breast
Robyn L Birdwell1, Carolyn E Mountford, J Dirk Iglehart
1Department of Radiology, Division of Breast Imaging, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02129, USA. rbirdwell@partners.org
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|July 22, 2009
Summary
Personalized breast cancer care recognizes unique tumors and patient environments. Advances in molecular subtypes and targeted therapies promise earlier treatment assessment and improved detection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Personalized Medicine
Background:
- Breast cancer treatment is increasingly personalized, acknowledging tumor and host environment uniqueness.
- Optimal treatment and response vary significantly among individuals with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of personalized approaches in breast cancer care.
- To discuss the implications of understanding molecular subtypes for treatment and detection.
Main Methods:
- Review of current concepts in personalized oncology.
- Analysis of advancements in targeted therapies for breast cancer.
- Exploration of molecular subtyping in breast cancer research.
Main Results:
- Personalized medicine acknowledges the heterogeneity of breast cancer.
- Understanding molecular subtypes is crucial for tailoring treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Further understanding of breast cancer molecular subtypes and targeted therapies will enable earlier treatment response assessment.
- Progress in targeted therapies holds potential for improved early detection of breast cancer.
