Diffusion-weighted imaging reflects variable cellularity and stromal density present in breast fibroadenomas
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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
Sana Parsian1, Nadia V Giannakopoulos2, Habib Rahbar1
1Department of Radiology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, University of Washington School of Medicine, 825 Eastlake Ave. E., G3-200, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, USA.
Objective:
To determine the underlying histopathologic features influencing apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of breast fibroadenomas.
Materials And Methods:
Biopsy-proven fibroadenomas (n=26) initially identified as suspicious on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively evaluated. Histopathologic assessments of lesion cellularity and stromal type were compared with ADC measures on diffusion-weighted MRI.
Results:
Presence of epithelial hyperplasia (increased cellularity) and dense collagenous stroma were both significantly associated with lower lesion ADC values (P=.02 and .004, respectively).
Conclusion:
Variations in epithelial cellularity and stromal type influence breast lesion ADC values and may explain the wide range of ADC measures observed in benign fibroadenomas.
