INVASIVE BREAST-CARCINOMA - ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING ENHANCEMENT FEATURES AND CELL PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY DETERMINED BY DNA S-PHASE PERCENTAGE

BACKGROUND. There is little information regarding associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement and biologic parameters of breast carcinoma. A prospective study was undertaken to correlate M RI dynamic contrast enhancement features with cell proliferative activ ity, as determined by DNA S-phase percentage. METHODS. Seventeen patie nts with invasive breast carcinoma underwent MRI at 1.5 tesla using a dynamic gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient recall echo technique. DN A analysis of samples of the excised lesions was then performed using flow cytometry. RESULTS. Invasive carcinomas with high DNA S-phase per centages (greater than or equal to 6.9%, the median value in this stud y), a measure of increased cell proliferation, were associated with a peripheral MRI enhancement pattern in 4 of 6 (67%) lesions compared wi th 0 of 11 carcinomas with lower DNA S-phase percentages (less than or equal to 6.9%) (P = 0.006). There was no significant association betw een a high DNA S-phase percentage and greater MRI enhancement amplitud e, rate, or washout. There was no significant association between aneu ploid DNA content and any MRI enhancement feature. CONCLUSIONS. Increa sed cell proliferation in invasive breast carcinoma, as determined by high DNA S-phase percentage, is significantly associated with a periph eral MRI enhancement pattern but unrelated to greater MRI enhancement amplitude, rate, or washout. (C) 1996 American Cancer Society.