Magnetic resonance of the breast: correlation between enhancement patterns and microvessel density in malignant tumors.
The continuous growth of a solid tumor is contingent upon the induction and formation of new vascular structures (angiogenesis). Several studies have established a close correlation between the microvessel density (MVD) of a tumor and its growth capacity. Therefore, a non-invasive method to accurately assess tumor MVD in vivo would be clinically useful. We studied 20 consecutive patients (age range: from 39 to 78 yrs; average age: 58.9 yrs), with malignant breast neoplasms using dynamic MR examinations with a paramagnetic contrast agent and post-operative pathological evaluation. We found that the differences in dynamic MRI enhancement are a direct consequence of microvascular distribution within the neoplasm. This study did not yield a statistically significant correlation between high microcirculation neo-formation and high aggressiveness of the neoplasm, but did indicate that further studies with a larger study populations are necessary.
Carriero
A
A
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Bioimmagini, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy. pamattei@unich.it
Ambrossini
R
R
Mattei
P A
PA
Angelucci
D
D
Bonomo
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA