Combination of IVIM with DCE-MRI for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of breast cancer

Purpose: To identify the most effective combination of DCE-MRI (K^trans,K_ep) and IVIM (D,f) and analyze the correlations of these parameters with prognostic indicators (ER, PR, and HER2, Ki-67 index, axillary lymph node (ALN) and tumor size) to improve the diagnostic and prognostic efficiency in breast cancer.

Methods: This is a prospective study. We performed T1WI, T2WI, IVIM, DCE-MRI at 3 T MRI examinations on benign and malignant breast lesions that met the inclusion criteria. We also collected pathological results of corresponding lesions, including ER, PR, and HER2, Ki-67 index, axillary lymph node (ALN) and tumor size. The diagnostic efficacy of DCE-MRI, IVIM imaging, and their combination for benign and malignant breast lesions was assessed. Correlations between the DCE-MRI and IVIM parameters and prognostic indicators were assessed.

Results: Overall,59 female patients with 62 lesions (22 benign lesions and 40 malignant lesions) were included in this study. The malignant group showed significantly lower D values (p < 0.05) and significantly higher K^trans, K_ep, and f values (p < 0.05). The AUC values of DCE, IVIM, DCE + IVIM were 0.828, 0.882, 0.901. K^trans, K_ep, D and f values were correlated with the pathological grade (p < 0.05); K^trans was negatively correlated with ER expression (r = -0.519, p < 0.05); K_ep was correlated with PR expression and the Ki-67 index (r = -0.489, 0.330, p < 0.05); the DCE and IVIM parameters showed no significant correlations with the HER2 and ALN (p > 0.05). Tumor diameter was correlated with the K_ep, D and f values (r = 0.246, -0.278, 0.293; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: IVIM and DCE-MRI allowed differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions, and their combination showed significantly better diagnostic efficiency. DCE- and IVIM-derived parameters showed correlations with some prognostic factors for breast cancer.