The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Values for Breast Tumors

Abstract

Objective: We wanted to evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for detecting breast tumors, as compared with the T1-and T2-weighted images. Materials and Methods:Forty-one female patients underwent breast MRI, and this included the T1-, T2-, DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced images. Sixtyfive enhancing lesions were detected on the dynamic contrast-enhanced images and we used this as a reference image for detecting tumor. Fifty-six breast lesions were detected on DWI and the histological diagnoses were as follows: 43 invasive ductal carcinomas, one mucinous carcinoma, one mixed infiltrative and mucinous carcinoma, seven ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and four benign tumors. First, we compared the detectability of breast lesions on DWI with that of the T1-and T2-weighted images. We then compared the ADCs of the malignant and benign breast lesions to the ADCs of the normal fibroglandular tissue.

Diffusion‐weighted imaging of breast cancer: Correlation of the apparent diffusion coefficient value with prognostic factors

“…The microscopic motion includes the molecular diffusion of water and blood microcirculation in capillary networks; therefore, both diffusion and perfusion affect apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (2,10). The ADC value was determined to be lower in cancer compared with normal parenchyme or benign breast tumor (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Many studies have attempted to predict treatment response and prognosis in patients with breast cancer.…”

“…DYNAMIC CONTRAST MATERIAL-enhanced MRI, which gives information on morphology and kinetics and has higher sensitivity, is frequently used to identify additional lesions and to determine the extent of tumor before surgery (1). In recent years, some studies have attempted to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). DWI is a specific modality that visualizes the microstructural characteristics of water diffusion in biological tissues.…”

“…To measure the ADC value, a region of interest (ROI) should be carefully placed in the solid portion of the tumor to ensure that cystic, necrotic portions or normal breast parenchyma was not included (2-5,7-9). A variable-sized ROI has been used in previous studies: 5-10 mm in diameter (2,3), 8 -100 mm 2 (7,9), and at least 100 mm 2 (8). We used a smallsized ROI of 10 Ϯ 2 mm 2 .…”

Correlation of the apparent diffusion coefficiency values on diffusion-weighted imaging with prognostic factors for breast cancer

“…Breast MRI is an established supplemental technique to mammography and ultrasonography for evaluation of suspicious breast lesions. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) has recently been integrated into the standard breast MRI for discrimination of benign and malignant breast lesions obtained with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. DWI is a non-invasive technique that represents the biological character of the mainly Brownian movement of protons in bulk water molecules in vivo.…”

Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values in Differentiating Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions

“…In recent years, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), albeit not routinely used as a part of breast MRI protocol, with the implementation of ultrafast MRI sequences contributes to the evaluation of breast lesions (15)(16)(17). The principle of the DWI is related to the Brownian movement of the water particles, which is restricted due to structure of the environment depending on the cellularity degree of the lesions (18,19).…”