Correlation of MRI features and pathohistological prognostic factors in invasive ductal breast carcinoma

The aim of this study was to correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) with pathohistological prognostic factors. Such an association, if present, could have significant translational implications for early identification of aggressive types of breast cancer.

One hundred and fourteen consecutive women with IDC who underwent breast MRI within one month prior to surgery were included in this retrospective study. MRI features were analyzed and then interpreted with a Göttingen score (GS) that included morphological (shape, margins, and pattern of enhancement) and kinetic characteristics (initial signal increase and post-initial behavior of the time-signal intensity curve). Histological specimens were analyzed for tumor size, axillary lymph node status, histological grade, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), HER2, and Ki-67.

By multivariate analysis, a smooth margin was a significant, independent predictor of a larger tumor size (p = 0.041), lymph node invasion (p = 0.013), and lower expression of ER (p = 0.022). High GS was a significant, independent predictor of a higher histological grade (p = 0.022) while round or oval shape of lesion was independent predictor of a higher PR expression (p = 0.027).

A smooth margin of breast cancer on breast MRI was able to predict positive axillary lymph nodes, larger tumor size, and lower expression of ER. Except for a higher histological grade, GS was not able to predict other unfavorable prognostic factors, probably due to the fact that smooth margins were assigned fewer points than spiculated margins.