Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
Correlations Between Mammographic Breast Density and Outcomes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Locally
Veenoo Agarwal1,2, Lisa Spalding3, Hilary Martin1,2
1Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
Introduction:
An inverse association between high mammographic breast density (MBD) and pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for early breast cancer (EBC) has been reported. However, the relationship of MBD to relapse-free (RFS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) is unexplored. This study aims to validate the relationship between MBD and NAC pCR in EBC and to assess correlations with RFS and BCSS.
Materials & Methods:
MBD was measured on contralateral mammograms in 127 women before NAC using Cumulus software. The percent dense area was correlated with patient and tumour characteristics, pCR, RFS and BCSS.
Results:
Mean MBD was higher in relapsing patients (p = 0.041) but did not vary by pCR or BC-deaths. As a dichotomous variable, no difference was seen between high and low MBD cohorts for pCR (17.5 vs. 25.0%, p = 0.15), BC relapse (38 vs. 30%, p = 0.15) or BC death (32 vs. 25%, p = 0.20). A planned analysis by body mass index (BMI) demonstrated high MBD associated with lower pCR (0% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.036) and trends for higher relapse (56% vs. 28%, p = 0.063) and BC deaths (56 vs. 28%, (p = 0.071)) in obese patients. No relationship was observed in non-obese patients.
Conclusions:
Obesity and high MBD may interact to cause chemoresistance. Further research in these patients is warranted.
