J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2010 Dec;14(2):95-102. 10.13104/jksmrm.2010.14.2.95.

MRI Findings of Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Comparison with Non-Triple Negative Breast Cancer

• Choi JJ
• Kim SH
• Cha ES
• Kang BJ
• Lee JH
• Lee SY
• Jeong SH
• Yim HW
• Song BJ

• KMID: 2206906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13104/jksmrm.2010.14.2.95

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinicopathological features of triple negative breast cancer, and compare them with those of non-triple negative breast cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 231 pathologically confirmed breast cancers from January 2007 to May 2008. We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon: mass or non-mass type, mass shape, mass margin, non-mass distribution, and enhancement pattern. Histologic type, histologic grade, and the results for epidermal growth factor receptor, p53, and Ki 67 were reviewed.
RESULTS
Of 231 patients, 43(18.6%) were triple negative breast cancer. Forty triple negative breast cancers (93.0%) were mass-type lesion on MRI. A round or oval or lobular shape (p=0.006) and rim enhancement (p=0.004) were significantly more in triple negative breast cancer than non-triple negative breast cancer. In contrast, irregular shape (p=0.006) and spiculated margins (p=0.032) were significantly more in non-triple negative breast cancer. Old age (p=0.019), high histologic grade (p<0.0001), EGFR positivity (p<0.0001), p53 overexpression (p=0.038), and Ki 67 expression (<0.0001) were significantly associated with the triple negative breast cancer.
CONCLUSION
MRI finding may be helpful for differentiation between triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancer.

Keyword

Breast cancer; Estrogen receptor; Progesterone receptor; HER2; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Humans
Information Systems
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptors, Progesterone
Retrospective Studies
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptors, Progesterone

Figure

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  Fig. 1 MRI finding for triple negative breast cancer in 42 year-old woman. T1-weighted sagittal MR image with contrast enhancement shows a lobular mass with smooth margins and a rim enhancement pattern.

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  Fig. 2 MRI finding for non-triple negative breast cancer in 46 year-old woman. T1-weighted sagittal MR image with contrast enhancement shows an irregular mass with spiculated margins and a heterogeneous enhancement pattern.

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