Value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in combination with mammography for screening early-stage breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: To study the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in combination with mammography for screening early-stage breast cancer. Methods: Ninety-three female patients visiting Zhejiang Zhuji Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to March 2022 were enrolled to receive DCE-MRI and mammography. The diagnostic efficiencies of different methods were assessed with pathological diagnosis as the golden standard. The factors affecting diagnostic sensitivity were investigated based on clinicopathological characteristics. Results: Forty-one patients were diagnosed as malignant pathological changes by DCE-MRI, and the signs were unclear boundary with surrounding tissues and irregular or unsmooth edges. The maximum linear slope and ratio of the maximum linear SlopeR of malignant pathological changes were significantly larger than those of benign pathological changes (P<0.05). Forty-five patients were diagnosed as malignant pathological changes by mammography combined with DCE-MRI. Compared to single diagnosis method, the combined diagnosis had significantly increased sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, and decreased rates of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis (P<0.05). Lesion diameter was an independent risk factor affecting the diagnostic sensitivity (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mammography and DCE-MRI play key roles in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, and their combination can increase the diagnostic efficiency. Keywords: Breast cancer; diagnosis; magnetic resonance imaging; mammography.