Breast magnetic resonance imaging indications in current practice

Photoacoustic Imaging for Management of Breast Cancer: A Literature Review and Future Perspectives

In this review article, a detailed chronological account of the research related to photoacoustic imaging for the management of breast cancer is presented. Performing a detailed analysis of the breast cancer detection related photoacoustic imaging studies undertaken by different research groups, this review attempts to present the clinical evidence in support of using photoacoustic imaging for breast cancer detection. Based on the experimental evidence obtained from the clinical studies conducted so far, the performance of photoacoustic imaging is compared with that of conventional breast imaging modalities. While we find that there is enough experimental evidence to support the use of photoacoustic imaging for breast cancer detection, additional clinical studies are required to be performed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of photoacoustic imaging for identifying different types of breast cancer. To establish the utility of photoacoustic imaging for breast cancer screening, clinical studies with high-risk asymptomatic patients need to be done.

A Reliability Comparison of Cone-Beam Breast Computed Tomography and Mammography: Breast Density Assessment Referring to the Fifth Edition of the BI-RADS Atlas

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the reliability of cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) in visual assessment of breast density referring to the fifth edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System compared to digital mammography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast density assessments of 130 female patients were performed by five radiologists referring to the fifth edition of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System atlas both on two-view mammograms and CBBCT images. Assessments were repeated by three radiologists with different experience more than 1 month after the initial evaluation. The inter- and intrareader agreements were compared by using the Cohen's weighted Kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficient. Weighted Kappa statistic was also used to analyze the agreement between CBBCT images and mammograms. The influence of radiologist experience for breast density assessment was analyzed using a chi-square test.

RESULTS

For CBBCT images, the inter-reader agreement was 0.781, whereas the agreement on mammograms was 0.744, both demonstrating moderate agreement. The level of intrareader reliability was higher on the CBBCT images than mammograms for breast density evaluation, 0.856 versus 0.786. Based on the majority report, the agreement between these two modalities was on substantial agreement degree. There was a statistically significant difference among radiologists with different levels of experience, and higher density categories were reported more often by experienced reader.

CONCLUSION

CBBCT showed equal aptitude and better agreement for the breast density evaluation compared to mammography. CBBCT could be an effective modality for breast density assessment and breast cancer risk evaluation in routine diagnosis and breast cancer screening.

Awareness and current knowledge of breast cancer

Breast cancer remains a worldwide public health dilemma and is currently the most common tumour in the globe. Awareness of breast cancer, public attentiveness, and advancement in breast imaging has made a positive impact on recognition and screening of breast cancer. Breast cancer is life-threatening disease in females and the leading cause of mortality among women population. For the previous two decades, studies related to the breast cancer has guided to astonishing advancement in our understanding of the breast cancer, resulting in further proficient treatments. Amongst all the malignant diseases, breast cancer is considered as one of the leading cause of death in post menopausal women accounting for 23% of all cancer deaths. It is a global issue now, but still it is diagnosed in their advanced stages due to the negligence of women regarding the self inspection and clinical examination of the breast. This review addresses anatomy of the breast, risk factors, epidemiology of breast cancer, pathogenesis of breast cancer, stages of breast cancer, diagnostic investigations and treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapies, hormone replacement therapy, radiation therapy, complementary therapies, gene therapy and stem-cell therapy etc for breast cancer.

Dual-Time 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging in Initial Locoregional Staging of Breast Carcinoma: Comparison with Conventional Imaging and Pathological Prognostic Factors

The aims of this retrospective study were to consider the diagnostic role of dual-time ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in detection of breast carcinoma and axillary lymph node (ALN) status and to evaluate the primary tumor ¹⁸F-FDG uptake pattern. Preoperative staging was performed by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in 78 female patients with breast carcinoma. Conventional imaging results were evaluated by breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 79 lesions in 78 patients, bilateral mammography (MMG) of 40 lesions in 40 patients, and breast ultrasonography (USG) of 47 lesions in 46 patients. The primary tumor detection rate using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was higher than those using MRI, USG, and MMG. The sensitivity and specificity of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans for detecting multifocality were higher than those of MRI. The specificity of ALN metastasis detection with MRI was higher than that with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, but ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT had higher sensitivity. Higher ¹⁸F-FDG uptake levels were detected in patients with ALN metastasis, histologic grade 3, estrogen-progesterone-negative receptor status, lymphatic invasion, and moderate to poor prognostic groups. There was no statistical difference for the retention index in categorical pathological parameters except for progesterone-negative status. In conclusion, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans may be a valuable imaging technique for evaluating primary tumor and axillary status in staging breast carcinoma and ¹⁸F-FDG uptake may be a prognostic factor that indicates aggressive tumor biology and poor prognosis. Dual-time imaging in breast carcinoma staging may not be used for predicting pathological criteria and the aggressiveness of primary lesions.

Differences between breast cancer patients younger and older than 40 years: mammographic findings

OBJECTIVE

To compare the mammogarphic appearance between breast cancer patients aged <40 and ≥40 years.

METHODS

Needle localization and biopsy of suspicious mammographic lesions identified 1,959 breast carcinomas in a single institution from Jun 2012 to Apr 2013. According to the age, we divided patients into two groups: <40 and ≥40 years old, and analyzed mammographic appearance separately.

RESULTS

Young patients had 44.2% foci with calcification, but old patients only had 39.4% (P<0.001). In younger group, the ratios of cases according to mass density were 41.8% or higher, 58.2% equivalent and lower. In older group, the ratios were 55.5 % and 44.5%, respectively. There were statistical differences between high density and others (P<0.05). The ratios of cases according to mass margin were 13.9% circumscribed and microlobulated, 86.1% indistinct and spiculated in the younger group, as compared to 6.5% and 93.5%, respectively, in the older group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mammographic findings differ between young and old patients with breast cancer, for example regarding mass density, mass margin and microcalcification ratios.