Contrast-enhanced mammography versus breast MRI in the assessment of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer multifocality and multicentricity diagnosis influences the surgeon's choice between applying breast conservative therapy or performing mastectomy.

Purpose

To assess the role of contrast enhanced mammography (CEM) and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of preoperative breast cancer multifocality and multicentricity and to assess their accuracy, agreement and impact on the surgical management.

Material and Methods

The study retrospectively included cases over a 5-year period. After analysis and interpretation of suspicious breast lesions, a comparative evaluation of CEM and MRI was conducted with the assessment of diagnostic indices, including sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. The kappa (κ) measure of agreement between both modalities was measured. The postoperative specimen pathology was the reference standard.

Results

One hundred and twenty-two female cases with 126 breast lesions were evaluated. Specimen pathology, MRI and CEM showed a single neoplastic lesion in 67.5%, 35% and 48.5% of cases, respectively, and multiple neoplastic lesions in 32.5%, 65% and 51.6% of cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI were 95.12%, 49.41%,and 64.29%, and the CEM values were 85.37%, 64.71% and 71.43%, respectively. The κ value was 0.592 with an intermediate agreement between both modalities. When comparing between both modalities, enhancing foci showed a statistically significant difference, although there were no statistically significant difference in terms of high breast density or molecular subtype.

Conclusion

In terms of breast cancer multifocality and multicentricity evaluation, MRI showed a higher sensitivity, while CEM showed a higher specificity, and there was moderate agreement between the two modalities.