MRI appearance of invasive subcentimetre breast carcinoma: Benign characteristics are common Journal Article


Authors: Meissnitzer, M.; Dershaw, D. D.; Feigin, K.; Bernard-Davila, B.; Barra, F.; Morris, E. A.
Article Title: MRI appearance of invasive subcentimetre breast carcinoma: Benign characteristics are common
Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the characteristics of cancers detected at the earliest possible point on MRI and to determine their significance. Methods: This institutional review board-approved Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study evaluated invasive breast cancers #1 cm histologically. MRI was performed within 6 months before diagnosis. Between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015, 163 cancers in 161 patients were evaluated. Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System lesion characteristics were assessed by two radiologists independently. In cases of disagreement, arbitration by a third reader was performed. Results: Cancers #1 cm became more obviously malignant as they enlarged with regard to shape (p50.021), margin (p50.0006), internal enhancement (p50.0158) and kinetics (p50.0001). Cancers #5mm had benign characteristics of circumscribed margins in 71% (71/100), round/oval shape in 67% (67/100) and persistent enhancement in 41% (41/100). High T2 signal was found in 17% (28/62), distributed equally among different sizes (p50.3920). In #5-mm cancers (59%, 12/29), a comparison study to show interval growth was more often needed to determine the need for biopsy. When interval growth determined biopsy, this was evident within 24 months and cancers remained node negative despite this delay. Conclusion: Benign characteristics are present in most invasive cancers #5mm. Small cancers on MRI may need to demonstrate growth to determine need for biopsy. Advances in knowledge: MR lesion characteristics may not be helpful in determining whether small lesions on MR are benign or malignant. However, as 97% of cancers in our study showed interval change when a prior MR for comparison was available, new lesions or increasing size should lead to consideration of biopsy. © 2017 The Authors. Published by the British Institute of Radiology.
Journal Title: British Journal of Radiology
Volume: 90
Issue: 1074
ISSN: 0007-1285
Publisher: British Institute of Radiology  
Date Published: 2017-01-01
Start Page: 20170102
Language: English
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20170102
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28452624
PMCID: PMC5602188
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 July 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Kimberly Nicole Feigin
    34 Feigin
  2. D David Dershaw
    223 Dershaw
  3. Elizabeth A Morris
    341 Morris
  4. Bianca Bernard
    24 Bernard