Breast Cancer Research

official impact factor 5.79

Review

Breast imaging technology: Application of magnetic resonance imaging to angiogenesis in breast cancer

Martin O Leach

Author Affiliations

CRC Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, UK

Breast Cancer Res 2001, 3:22-27 doi:10.1186/bcr266

Published: 13 December 2000

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques enable vascular function to be mapped with high spatial resolution. Current methods for imaging in breast cancer are described, and a review of recent studies that compared dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with histopathological indicators of tumour vascular status is provided. These studies show correlation between in vivo dynamic contrast measurements and in vitro histopathology. Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI is also being applied to assessment of the response of breast tumours to treatment.

Keywords:
angiogenesis; breast cancer; dynamic contrast enhanced imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; vascular permeability