Correlation between 3T apparent diffusion coefficient values and grading of invasive breast carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Accurate grading of invasive breast carcinoma is crucial for prognosis and treatment planning.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), offers non-invasive insights into tumor characteristics.
• The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from DWI reflects tissue microstructure and has shown potential in differentiating tumor grades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from 3.0T magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the histological grade of invasive breast carcinoma.
• To determine if 3T DWI-derived ADC can serve as a tool for identifying high-grade invasive breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-six invasive breast cancer lesions from 92 patients were analyzed using 3.0T MRI, including DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences.
• Tumor grading was performed using the Nottingham Grading System (NGS) based on histological analysis.
• ADC values were calculated for each lesion and statistically compared with NGS classification using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.

Main Results:

• ADC values were significantly higher in Grade 1 (G1) tumors compared to Grade 3 (G3) tumors.
• No significant difference in ADC values was found when comparing Grade 2 (G2) tumors with G1 or G3.
• Tumor size, hormonal receptor status, HER2 expression, and Ki67 index showed significant correlations with grading, particularly between G1 and G3.

Conclusions:

• Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from 3.0T DWI demonstrate a correlation with the grade of invasive breast carcinoma.
• 3T ADC shows promise as a non-invasive imaging biomarker for identifying high-grade invasive breast carcinoma, potentially aiding in clinical decision-making.