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Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
Diffusion-weighted imaging in breast cancer: relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient and tumour
M Costantini1, P Belli, P Rinaldi
1Department of Bio-Sciences and Radiological Imaging, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Clinical Radiology
|November 13, 2010
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) effectively assesses breast tumor aggressiveness. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) correlates inversely with tumor grade, aiding in malignancy evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Breast cancer diagnosis relies on imaging, but characterizing tumor aggressiveness remains challenging.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) offers insights into tissue microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic and characterization utility of DWI in breast malignancy.
- To correlate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with tumor grade and histology.
Main Methods:
- 136 female patients with 162 breast lesions underwent 1.5 T MRI with DWI (b=0 and 1000 s/mm²).
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were analyzed in relation to tumor grade (1-3) and histology (invasive vs. in situ).
Main Results:
- Mean ADC for all malignant lesions was 1.03×10⁻³ mm²/s.
- A significant inverse correlation (p<0.001) was found between ADC values and tumor grade.
- Lower ADC values were associated with higher-grade, more aggressive tumors (G2-G3 invasive carcinomas).
Conclusions:
- DWI is a valuable tool for assessing breast tumor aggressiveness.
- ADC is a promising imaging biomarker for evaluating the degree of malignancy in breast cancer.
