Simple magnetic resonance imaging criteria can differentiate ductal carcinomas in situ from invasive carcinomas

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values can discriminate ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) from invasive carcinomas and to test the incremental gain of a model combining these measurements to dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) main pattern (mass versus non-mass). Methods: Forty-four lesions (12 DCIS and 32 invasive cancers) were reviewed by two examiners, their ADCs were averaged, and they were classified according to enhancement patterns. A logistic regression model with ADC values and enhancement patterns was devised. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the discriminative performance of isolated ADCs to the regression model by their areas under the curve (AUCs). Results: ADC values were significantly different between lesion types (p=0.034), with mean of 1.23x10-3 mm2/s for DCIS and 1.05x10-3 mm2/s for invasive cancers. The model grouping enhancement patterns and ADC values had better performance (AUC=0.80) than isolated ADCs (AUC=0.71), though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.105). Conclusion: ADC measurements of pre-invasive breast lesions are substantially different from those of invasive cancers. When ADC measurements are associated with main enhancement patterns, the performance of the technique is increased.