Imaging Phenotypes in Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer on Mammography, Ultrasound, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using the Fifth Edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

Eur J Radiol. 2018 Sep:106:150-159. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2018.07.026. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objective: To assess imaging phenotypes of familial breast cancer on mammography (MG), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the fifth edition of the BI-RADS; to investigate inter-observer agreement and to correlate imaging phenotypes with risk status, histopathology, and molecular subtypes derived by immunohistochemical surrogate.

Materials and methods: Forty-nine women (BRCA-1/2 mutation carriers and women with >20% lifetime risk) were diagnosed with breast cancer within our high-risk screening program. BI-RADS MG, US, and MRI imaging descriptors were correlated with risk status, histopathology, and molecular subtypes derived by immunohistochemical surrogate. Inter-rater agreement for BI-RADS MG, US, and MRI categories was assessed.

Results: Fifty-two breast cancers were diagnosed and 98% were detectable in at least one modality. MRI detected more cancers (P < 0.001). No lesion had benign morphology on BI-RADS. BRCA-1 had triple-negative and high-grade tumors in the posterior part and in the upper-outer quadrant (P ≤ 0.01); positive-family-history patients had intermediate-grade neoplasms (P < 0.01) in the middle part (P = 0.04) and in the upper-outer quadrants (P = 0.05). There was moderate inter-rater agreement for the assigned BI-RADS assessment for MG (k = 0.554) and MRI (k = 0.512) and substantial inter-rater agreement for US (k = 0.741).

Conclusions: Imaging phenotypes of familial breast cancers with BI-RADS are malignant in all imaging modalities. Risk status seems to influence cancer location.

Keywords: BRCA1 Protein; BRCA2 Protein; Breast Neoplasms; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mammography.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • BRCA1 Protein
  • Breast / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mammography / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Phenotype
  • Radiology Information Systems*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human

Supplementary concepts

  • Breast Cancer, Familial