[Magnetic resonance imaging of breast cancer: correlation between contrast enhancement and tumor angiogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between enhancement characteristics of breast cancers obtained by three-dimensional dynamic MRI and histopathologic findings, especially tumor angiogenesis.


METHODS
Forty-four women with invasive breast cancer under went preoperative MR imaging. Three-dimensional fast low angle shot (3D-FLASH) images of the whole breast (section thickness, 2 mm; gap, 0 mm; number of sections, 50; acquisition time, 87 sec) were obtained at 90-second intervals for three images (the first image before the injection of Gd-DTPA). Microvessel densities were evaluated in specimens immunohistochemically stained with anti-CD34 antibody. Pearson correlation tests were used to determine the strength of the relationships between enhancement parameters and microvessel densities. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the associations with histopathologic factors, including histological grade.


RESULTS
The enhancement parameters were correlated with microvessel densities (p < 0.0001). The peripheral microvessel densities were significantly higher than central microvessel densities (p < 0.0001). A significant association with histological grade was observed for the steepest slopes of the dynamic curve and microvessel densities (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A correlation between three-dimensional dynamic MRI parameters and microvessel densities, and associations with histological grade were seen. This may allow MRI to be used in the prediction of tumor angiogenesis and tumor grade.
Furuta
A
A
Department of Radiology, Tohoku Kohsei-Nenkin Hospital.
Ishibashi
T
T
Takahashi
S
S
Yamada
S
S
Ohuchi
N
N
Amano
G
G
Goto
K
K
Watanabe
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA