Microvessel density of invasive breast cancer assessed by dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI.
It has been postulated that the rapid enhancement demonstrated by breast carcinomas after administration of contrast media is a direct result of tumor angiogenesis. However, to date, little quantitative data have been published to support this view. A retrospective study has been undertaken to compare dynamic contrast-enhanced data obtained from 40 patients with microvessel density (MVD) evaluated in specimens immunohistochemically stained with a factor VIII related antigen. The dynamic data were analyzed quantitatively using both simple indices of enhancement and a two-compartment kinetic model. A moderate but significant correlation was demonstrated between initial enhancement and MVD, and this correlation strengthened when node-positive tumors were considered in isolation (r = .77, P < .0005). However, the data showed considerable variability. The enhancement characteristics of the tumors could not be explained solely by their MVD; therefore, MRI cannot be used to predict MVD in vivo. Further work is required to address the exact relationship between contrast-enhanced MRI and tumor angiogenesis.
Buckley
D L
DL
Department of Medical Physics, University of Hull, Hull Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom. buckley@abbot.health.ufl.edu
Drew
P J
PJ
Mussurakis
S
S
Monson
J R
JR
Horsman
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA