MRI Evaluation of Mass-Like and None-Mass-Like-Proven Breast Cancer from Moderate-to-High Background Enhancement

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is considered one of the most prevalent cancers among females worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns of female breast cancer, and also the prevalence of mass-like and nonmass-like lesions among these patients. Materials and Methods: 32 patients with proven breast cancer (based on their pathologic findings and background parenchymal enhancement [BPE] of their magnetic resonance [MR] images) were included in this cross-sectional study which was performed from 2017 to 2019 in Isfahan, Iran, using a1.5 Tesla (Achieva Philips, Netherland) MRI scanner system. The MR sequences (noncontrast image and at least two contrast-enhanced images) were done in the prone position for studied patients. Results: It was found that 68.8% (n = 44) and 31.2% (n = 20) of breast cancers were suffered from moderate and severe BPE, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of mass-like nonmass-like and both tumors were 43.8%, 43.8%, and 12.4%, respectively. Pathological studies indicated that 50%, 37.5%, and 12.5% of cancers were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and DCIS, respectively. In addition, a significant relationship between MRI characteristics and pathologic findings was found for IDC and DCIS (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the relationship between BPE level and MRI finding including mass-like or nonmass-like lesions in biopsy-proven breast cancers was not significant.

Keywords

• background parenchymal enhancement
• breast cancer
• magnetic resonance imaging