We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Elevated MRI Enhancement Identifies Increased Cancer Risk in Women with Very Dense Breasts

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 09 Aug 2023
Print article
Image: Cancer occurrence was found greater in women with higher volumes of enhancing parenchyma on breast MRI (Photo courtesy of Freepik)
Image: Cancer occurrence was found greater in women with higher volumes of enhancing parenchyma on breast MRI (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Women with highly dense breasts are three to six times more likely to develop breast cancer than those with fatty breasts. Mammography is less sensitive in detecting early-stage breast cancer in dense-breasted women, as a result of which those aged 50 to 75 might benefit from supplemental MRI screenings. Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) is another factor associated with breast cancer risk, though its significance compared to factors like age, body mass index (BMI), family history, and breast density remains less clear. Now, a machine learning model has identified BPE on breast MRI as a significant risk factor for breast cancer in women with very dense breasts.

To measure BPE's importance as a risk indicator, researchers at the University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, the Netherlands) analyzed dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI exams from 4,553 women involved in the Netherlands-based Dense Tissue and Early Breast Neoplasm Screening (DENSE) Trial. The aim of the DENSE trial was to develop a deep learning model that could automatically identify the fibroglandular tissue. These MRIs were conducted biennially from December 2011 to January 2016 across eight Dutch hospitals. When accounting for age, BMI, and BPE, it was observed that breast cancer was more prevalent in women with higher volumes of enhancing parenchyma than those with low volumes.

Among the study participants, 122 were diagnosed with breast cancer, with about 63% diagnosed after the first round of screening. The average diagnosis time for the rest of the women was approximately 24 months. The study highlights a dilemma: while the implementation of supplemental MRI screening for dense-breasted women may catch cancers missed between regular mammography sessions, it also places a heavier burden on radiologists. To address this increased demand, personalized screening strategies might be necessary to alleviate the pressure on healthcare professionals.

"Thus far, studies on breast cancer risk factors have typically focused on women at high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer," said study co-author Kenneth G. A. Gilhuijs, Ph.D., from the Department of Radiology at the University Medical Center Utrecht. "This is the first study that we know of that demonstrates an association between background parenchymal enhancement and occurrence of breast cancer in women with extremely dense breasts."

Related Links:
University Medical Center Utrecht

New
Gold Supplier
IMRT Thorax Phantom
CIRS Model 002LFC
Gold Supplier
128 Slice CT Scanner
Supria 128
3-in-1 Radiology, Fluoroscopy & Tomosynthesis System
StriXion
New
Ultrasound Diagnostic System
CMS600P2PLUS

Print article
Sun Nuclear -    Mirion

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: The AI model improves tumor removal accuracy during breast cancer surgery (Photo courtesy of UNC School of Medicine)

AI Model Analyzes Tumors Removed Surgically in Real-Time

During breast cancer surgery, the surgeon removes the tumor, also known as a specimen, along with a bit of the adjacent healthy tissue to ensure all cancerous cells are excised. This specimen is then X-rayed... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: FloPatch is a revolutionary tool that facilitates real-time precision in IV fluid management in sepsis (Photo courtesy of Flosonics)

Wireless, Wearable Doppler Ultrasound Revolutionizes Precision Fluid Management in Sepsis Care

When a patient comes to the hospital with sepsis, administering intravenous (IV) fluids is usually the first course of action. However, too much IV fluid can do more harm than good, causing additional... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: An AI model can evaluate brain tumors on PET (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

AI Model for PET Imaging Determines Patient Response to Brain Tumor Treatments

The assessment of changes in metabolic tumor volume (MTV) through PET scans using specific radiotracers like F-18 fluoroethyl tyrosine (FET) plays a vital role in evaluating the treatment response in patients... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: Annalise Enterprise CTB acts like a ‘second pair of eyes’ for radiologists (Photo courtesy of Annalise.ai)

Deep Learning System Boosts Radiologist Accuracy and Speed for Head CTs

Non-contrast computed tomography of the brain (NCCTB) is a commonly employed method for identifying intracranial pathology. Despite its frequent use, the complex scan outcomes are prone to being misunderstood.... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.