Triple negative breast cancer: MRI features in comparison to other breast cancer subtypes with correlation to prognostic pathologic factors

ObjectiveThis study aimed at determination of the MRI predictors of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in comparison to other breast cancer subtypes.Materials and methodsThe study retrospectively enrolled 185 female patients with 206 pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancers with different subtypes by immunohistochemistry. Histopathological analysis as well as MRI features of TNBC was compared to those of other breast cancer subtypes. MRI features included the tumor size, shape, margin, internal enhancement, intratumoral signal intensity on T2-WI, detectability by DW-MRI and ADC values.ResultsTNBCs showed higher histological grades (p < 0.0001) and younger patient age group (p = 0.006) compared to other tumor subtypes. At MRI, TNBCs were of larger size (p < 0.0001), round shape (p < 0.0001), smooth margin (p < 0.0001), with rim enhancement (p < 0.0001) and higher incidence of T2-WI tumoral hyperintensity (p = 0.0002) and intratumoral necrosis (p < 0.0001). No significant difference in tumor detectability was found by DW-MRI, however, TNBCs had higher ADC values (p < 0.0001).ConclusionIn our study, TNBC patients were of younger age with higher grade malignancy. TNBC MRI predictors were unifocal rim enhancing mass with round shape, smooth margin, higher signal intensity on T2-WI, in addition to relatively larger sizes of tumors associated with high incidence of intratumoral necrosis and higher ADC values.