Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI evaluation of early therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancers

Objective: To investigate the relationship between histological response of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and imaging findings on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Methods: Thirty-five patients who have completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy for histologically proven breast carcinomas underwent DCE-MRI of the breasts before surgery. The time signal intensity curves on DEC-MRI were correlated with pathological findings. Results: There was significant positive correlation between the time signal intensity curves and pathological response grades (r=0.591, P<0.001). Tumors with residual contrast enhancement also correlated significantly with pathological response (r=-0.505, P<0.005). Conclusion: DCE-MRI correlates well with pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. (authors)