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Breast cancer is a complex disease that includes entities with different characteristics, behaviors, and responses to treatment. Breast cancers are categorized into subgroups based on histological type and grade, and these subgroups affect clinical presentation and oncological outcomes. The subgroup of "special types" encompasses all those breast cancers with insufficient features to belong to the subgroup "invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified". These cancers account for around 25% of all cases, some of them having a relatively good prognosis despite high histological grade. The purpose of this paper is to review and illustrate the radiological appearance of each special type, highlighting insights and pitfalls to guide breast radiologists in their routine work.
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Breast cancer holds the highest diagnosis rate among female tumors and is the leading cause of death among women. Quantitative analysis of radiological images shows the potential to address several medical challenges, including the early detection and classification of breast tumors. In the P.I.N.K study, 66 women were enrolled. Their paired Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) images, annotated with cancerous lesions, populated the first ABVS+DBT dataset. This enabled not only a radiomic analysis for the malignant vs. benign breast cancer classification, but also the comparison of the two modalities. For this purpose, the models were trained using a leave-one-out nested cross-validation strategy combined with a proper threshold selection approach. This approach provides statistically significant results even with medium-sized data sets. Additionally it provides distributional variables of importance, thus identifying the most informative radiomic features. The analysis proved the predictive capacity of radiomic models even using a reduced number of features. Indeed, from tomography we achieved AUC-ROC 89.9 % using 19 features and 92.1 % using 7 of them; while from ABVS we attained an AUC-ROC of 72.3 % using 22 features and 85.8 % using only 3 features. Although the predictive power of DBT outperforms ABVS, when comparing the predictions at the patient level, only 8.7% of lesions are misclassified by both methods, suggesting a partial complementarity. Notably, promising results (AUC-ROC ABVS-DBT 71.8 % - 74.1 % ) were achieved using non-geometric features, thus opening the way to the integration of virtual biopsy in medical routine.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Aprendizaje Automático , Mamografía , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Mamografía/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Adulto , Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Mama/patología , Interpretación de Imagen Radiográfica Asistida por Computador/métodos , RadiómicaRESUMEN
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our multicentric study analysed clinical, radiologic and pathologic features in patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) diagnosed with vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB), to identify factors associated with the risk of upgrade, to develop a scoring system to support decision making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ADH on VAB under stereotactic/tomosynthesis guidance (2012-2022) were eligible. Inclusion criteria were availability of surgical histopathological examination of the entire lesion or radiologic follow-up (FUP) ≥ 24 months. VAB results were compared with surgical pathological results or with imaging FUP evolution to assess upgrade. A backward stepwise linear regression was used to identify predictors of upgrade. The discriminatory power of the model was calculated through the area under the receiver operating curve (ROC-AUC); the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess model calibration. The points system was developed based on the selected risk factors, and the probability of upgrade associated with each point total was determined. RESULTS: 112 ADH lesions were included: 91 (91/112, 81.3%) underwent surgical excision with 20 diagnosis of malignancy, while 21 (21/112, 18.7%) underwent imaging FUP with one interval change (mean FUP time 48 months). Overall upgrade rate was 18.7% (21/112). Age, menopausal status, concurrent breast cancer, BIRADS classification and number of foci of ADH were identified as risk factors for upgrade. Our model showed an AUC = 0.85 (95% CI 0.76-0.94). The points system showed that the risk of upgrade is < 2% when the total score is ≤ 1. CONCLUSION: Our scoring system seemed a promising easy-to-use decision support tool for management of ADH, decreasing unnecessary surgeries, reducing patients' overtreatment and healthcare costs.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Carcinoma Intraductal no Infiltrante , Humanos , Femenino , Carcinoma Intraductal no Infiltrante/diagnóstico , Carcinoma Intraductal no Infiltrante/patología , Carcinoma Intraductal no Infiltrante/cirugía , Mama/patología , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Biopsia con Aguja , Diagnóstico por Imagen , Estudios RetrospectivosAsunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama , Mamoplastia , Cirugía Plástica , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/cirugía , Mama , Italia , Mastectomía SegmentariaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of magnetic seed compared to skin tattoo in preoperative localization of impalpable breast lesions in terms of accuracy of placement, re-excision and positive margins rates, and breast/surgical specimen volume ratio. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 77 patients who underwent breast conservative surgery in our center from November 2020 to November 2021, with previous localization with skin tattoo or magnetic seed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven magnetic seeds were placed in 36 patients (48.6%) and 40 skin tattoos were performed in the remaining cases (51.4%). The seeds were placed correctly at the two-view mammogram acquired after the insertion in 97.6% (36/37) of cases. With both methods, 100% of the index lesions were completely removed and found in the surgical specimen. The reported re-excision rate was 0% for both groups. A significant difference was observed in the volume of breast parenchyma removed between the two groups, inferior in the seed group (p = 0.046), especially in case of voluminous breasts (p = 0.003) and small lesions (dimension < 8 mm, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic seed is a non-radioactive localization technique, feasible to place, recommended in case of non-palpable breast lesions, saving the breast parenchyma removed compared with skin tattoo, without reducing the accuracy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our findings contribute to the current evidence on preoperative localization techniques for non-palpable breast lesions, highlighting the efficacy of magnetic seed localization for deep and small lesions. KEY POINTS: ⢠Magnetic seed is a non-radioactive technique for the preoperative localization of non-palpable breast lesions studied in comparison with skin tattoo. ⢠Magnetic seed is feasible to place in terms of post-placement migration and distance from the target lesion. ⢠Magnetic seed is recommended in case of non-palpable breast lesions, saving the breast parenchyma removed without reducing the accuracy.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Tatuaje , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios de Cohortes , Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Mama/cirugía , Fenómenos Magnéticos , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/cirugía , Mastectomía SegmentariaRESUMEN
Pathological conditions affecting the male breast (MB) share some similarities with those found in women, while others are specific to men. The first part of this review provides an overview of MB disorders, exploring the most common types of MB diseases. The second part then emphasizes the state-of-the-art approaches proposed in the literature for screening and follow-up with MB cancer patients, which highlights the importance of tailored strategies for diagnosis, follow-up, and identifying high-risk populations. Considering the increasing attention in recent years on the topic, transgender individuals are also included in this review. Together with the MB, it is an understudied category thus far. This review aims to raise awareness among radiologists that MBs should be approached differently from female breasts, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and promoting early detection of MB disorders. The review also provides an update on breast cancer and screening in the transgender population.
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Breast cancer (BC) remains a major challenge for oncology today, impacting the lives of countless individuals worldwide [...].
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OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of radiomics features obtained by MR images to predict Breast Cancer Histological Outcome. METHODS: A total of 217 patients with malignant lesions were analysed underwent MRI examinations. Considering histological findings as the ground truth, four different types of findings were used in both univariate and multivariate analyses: (1) G1 + G2 vs G3 classification; (2) presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 + vs HER2 -); (3) presence of the hormone receptor (HR + vs HR -); and (4) presence of luminal subtypes of breast cancer. RESULTS: The best accuracy for discriminating HER2 + versus HER2 - breast cancers was obtained considering nine predictors by early phase T1-weighted subtraction images and a decision tree (accuracy of 88% on validation set). The best accuracy for discriminating HR + versus HR - breast cancers was obtained considering nine predictors by T2-weighted subtraction images and a decision tree (accuracy of 90% on validation set). The best accuracy for discriminating G1 + G2 versus G3 breast cancers was obtained considering 16 predictors by early phase T1-weighted subtraction images in a linear regression model with an accuracy of 75%. The best accuracy for discriminating luminal versus non-luminal breast cancers was obtained considering 27 predictors by early phase T1-weighted subtraction images and a decision tree (accuracy of 94% on validation set). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of radiomics analysis and artificial intelligence techniques could be used to support physician decision-making in prediction of Breast Cancer Histological Outcome.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Inteligencia Artificial , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The selection of surgery post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is difficult and based on surgeons' expertise. The aim of this study was to create a post-NEoadjuvant Score System (pNESSy) to choose surgery, optimizing oncological and aesthetical outcomes. METHODS: Patients (stage I-III) underwent surgery post-NACT (breast-conserving surgery (BCS), oncoplastic surgery (OPS), and conservative mastectomy (CMR) were included. Data selected were BRCA mutation, ptosis, breast volume, radiological response, MRI, and mammography pre- and post-NACT prediction of excised breast area. pNESSy was created using the association between these data and surgery. Area under the curve (AUC) was assessed. Patients were divided into groups according to correspondence (G1) or discrepancy (G2) between score and surgery; oncological and aesthetic outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were included (118 BCS, 49 OPS, 88 CMR). pNESSy between 6.896-8.724 was predictive for BCS, 8.725-9.375 for OPS, and 9.376-14.245 for CMR; AUC was, respectively, 0.835, 0.766, and 0.825. G1 presented a lower incidence of involved margins (5-14.7%; p = 0.010), a better locoregional disease-free survival (98.8-88.9%; p < 0.001) and a better overall survival (96.1-86.5%; p = 0.017), and a better satisfaction with breasts (39.8-27.5%; p = 0.017) and physical wellbeing (93.5-73.6%; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A score system based on clinical and radiological features was created to select the optimal surgery post-NACT and improve oncological and aesthetic outcomes.
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Angiosarcoma of the breast is a rare breast cancer, which can arise de novo (primary breast angiosarcoma, PBA) or as a secondary malignancy (secondary breast angiosarcoma, SBA) as a result of a biological insult. In the latter case, it is usually diagnosed in patients with a previous history of radiation therapy following a conserving treatment for breast cancer. Over the years, the advances in early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, with increasing use of breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy (instead of radical mastectomy), brought about an increased incidence of the secondary type. PBA and SBA have different clinical presentations and often represent a diagnostic challenge due to the nonspecific imaging findings. The purpose of this paper is to review and describe the radiological features of breast angiosarcoma, both in conventional and advanced imaging to guide radiologists in the diagnosis and management of this rare tumor.
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BACKGROUND: The diffusion of screening programs has resulted in a decrease of cT4 breast cancer diagnosis. The standard care for cT4 was neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NA), surgery, and locoregional or adjuvant systemic therapies. NA allows two outcomes: 1. improve survival rates, and 2. de-escalation of surgery. This de-escalation has allowed the introduction of conservative breast surgery (CBS). We evaluate the possibility of submitting cT4 patients to CBS instead of radical breast surgery (RBS) by assessing the risk of locoregional disease-free survival, (LR-DFS) distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS). METHODS: This monocentric, retrospective study evaluated cT4 patients submitted to NA and surgery between January 2014 and July 2021. The study population included patients undergoing CBS or RBS without immediate reconstruction. Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meyer method and compared using a Log Rank test. RESULTS: At a follow-up of 43.7 months, LR-DFS was 70% and 75.9%, respectively, in CBS and RBS (p = 0.420). DDFS was 67.8% and 29.7%, respectively, (p = 0.122). OS was 69.8% and 59.8%, respectively, (p = 0.311). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with major or complete response to NA, CBS can be considered a safe alternative to RBS in the treatment of cT4a-d stage. In patients with poor response to NA, RBS remained the best surgical choice.
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(1) Background: To help to refine the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer (BC) patients with biopsy-proven nodal disease prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), a method of marking the biopsy-proven positive LN at diagnosis to enable its removal during surgery was proposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Radio-Guided Occult Lesion Localization (ROLL) technique of biopsy-proven metastatic LN in nodal staging after NACT among node-positive BC patients. (2) Methods: Patients with invasive BC and biopsy-proven axillary metastases receiving NACT were enrolled. A clip marker was placed on the sampled LN (clipped lymph node, CLN) before NACT. Before surgery, the ROLL procedure (radioactive tracer injection into CLN under ultrasound guidance) was performed, and the CLN was surgically resected. The correspondence between the CLNs and SLNs was evaluated. The pathologic findings of the CLNs and SLN(s) were compared with remaining axillary nodes at ALND to determine false negative rates (FNRs). (3) Results: Seventy-two patients were analyzed. Surgery successfully identified the CLN in 70/72 procedures (97.2%). For 60/72 patients who underwent ALND, the FNRs dropped from 19.35% for SLNB to 3.13% for CLN biopsy. (4) Conclusions: The ROLL procedure got CLNs is accurate in axillary nodal staging after NACT in node-positive BC patients at diagnosis.
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Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) is an axillary staging technique after NACT that involves the removal of biopsy-proven metastatic lymph nodes in addition to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This technique avoids the morbidity of traditional axillary lymph node dissection and has shown a lower false-negative rate than SLNB alone. Therefore, marking positive axillary lymph nodes before NACT is critical in order to locate and remove them in the subsequent surgery. Current localization methods include clip placement with intraoperative ultrasound, carbon-suspension liquids, localization wires, radioactive tracer-based localizers, magnetic seeds, radar reflectors, and radiofrequency identification devices. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the management of axillary lymph nodes based on current guidelines and explain the features of axillary lymph node markers, with relative advantages and disadvantages.
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Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) today represents a cornerstone in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer and highly chemo-sensitive tumors at early stages, increasing the possibilities of performing more conservative treatments and improving long term outcomes. Imaging has a fundamental role in the staging and prediction of the response to NACT, thus aiding surgical planning and avoiding overtreatment. In this review, we first examine and compare the role of conventional and advanced imaging techniques in preoperative T Staging after NACT and in the evaluation of lymph node involvement. In the second part, we analyze the different surgical approaches, discussing the role of axillary surgery, as well as the possibility of non-operative management after-NACT, which has been the subject of recent trials. Finally, we focus on emerging techniques that will change the diagnostic assessment of breast cancer in the near future.
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Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) indications have expanded from inoperable locally advanced to early-stage breast cancer. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) has been proven to be an excellent prognostic marker leading to better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Although diagnostic accuracy of MRI has been shown repeatedly to be superior to conventional methods in assessing the extent of breast disease there are still controversies regarding the indication of MRI in this setting. We intended to review the complex literature concerning the tumor size in staging, response and surgical planning in patients with early breast cancer receiving NACT, in order to clarify the role of MRI. Morphological and functional MRI techniques are making headway in the assessment of the tumor size in the staging, residual tumor assessment and prediction of response. Radiomics and radiogenomics MRI applications in the setting of the prediction of response to NACT in breast cancer are continuously increasing. Tailored therapy strategies allow considerations of treatment de-escalation in excellent responders and avoiding or at least postponing breast surgery in selected patients.
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In this retrospective study we share our single-center experience using a magnetic seed for the preoperative localization of non-palpable breast lesions. Patients who underwent a preoperative localization with Magseed® (Endomagnetics, Cambridge, UK) placement between 2020 and 2022 were enrolled. Indications to Magseed placement have been established during multidisciplinary meetings prior to surgery and all patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS). 45 patients were included. Magnetic seeds have been introduced under ultrasound guidance in 40 patients (88.9%) and under stereotactic guidance in 5 patients (11.1%). We registered a highly successful placement rate (97.8%), with only one case of migration (2.2%). After BCS, all the magnetic seeds were recovered (100% retrieval rate). The re-excision rate for positive margins was 0%. Our experience, with a highly successful placement and retrieval rate and a re-excision rate equal to 0%, is consistent with the encouraging literature published on Magseed so far, suggesting this technique to be extremely effective. Moreover, our single case of seed migration supports the existing data stating that Magseed migration is rare. In conclusion, despite acknowledging Magseed limitations, we highly value the advantages linked to this technique, and we, therefore, uphold its use.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Magnetismo , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Mastectomía Segmentaria , Fenómenos Magnéticos , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/cirugíaRESUMEN
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by earlier recurrence and shorter survival compared with other types of breast cancer. Moreover, approximately 15 to 25% of all TNBC patients harbor germline BRCA (gBRCA) 1/2 mutations, which confer a more aggressive phenotype. However, TNBC seems to be particularly sensitive to chemotherapy, the so-called 'triple negative paradox'. Therefore, Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is currently considered the preferred approach for early-stage TNBC. BRCA status has also been studied as a predictive biomarker of response to platinum compounds. Although several randomized trials investigated the addition of carboplatin to standard NACT in early-stage TNBC, the role of BRCA status remains unclear. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated data from 136 consecutive patients with Stage I-III TNBC who received standard NACT with or without the addition of carboplatin, in order to define clinical features and outcomes in BRCA 1/2 mutation carriers and non-carrier controls. Between January 2013 and February 2021, 67 (51.3%) out of 136 patients received a standard anthracyclines/taxane regimen and 69 (50.7%) patients received a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen. Deleterious germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were identified in 39 (28.7%) patients. Overall, patients with deleterious gBRCA1/2 mutation have significantly higher pCR rate than non-carrier patients (23 [59%] of 39 vs. 33 [34%] of 97; p = 0.008). The benefit of harboring a gBRCA mutation was confirmed only in the subset of patients who received a platinum-based NACT (17 [65.4%] of 26 vs. 13 [30.2%] of 43; p = 0.005) while no differences were found in the platinum-free subgroup. Patients who achieved pCR after NACT had significantly better EFS (OR 4.5; 95% CI 1.9-10.7; p = 0.001) and OS (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.3-8.9; p = 0.01) than patients who did not, regardless of BRCA1/2 mutation status and type of NACT received. Our results based on real-world evidence show that TNBC patients with the gBRCA1/2 mutation who received platinum-based NACT have a higher pCR rate than non-carrier patients, supporting the use of this chemotherapy regimen in this patient population. Long-term follow-up analyses are needed to further define the role of gBRCA mutation status on clinical outcomes in patients with early-TNBC.
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The correct N-staging in breast cancer is crucial to tailor treatment and stratify the prognosis. N-staging is based on the number and the localization of suspicious regional nodes on physical examination and/or imaging. Since clinical examination of the axillary cavity is associated with a high false negative rate, imaging modalities play a central role. In the presence of a T1 or T2 tumor and 0-2 suspicious nodes, on imaging at the axillary level I or II, a patient should undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), whereas in the presence of three or more suspicious nodes at the axillary level I or II confirmed by biopsy, they should undergo axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to a multidisciplinary approach, as well as in the case of internal mammary, supraclavicular, or level III axillary involved lymph nodes. In this scenario, radiological assessment of lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis must be accurate. False positives may preclude a sentinel lymph node in an otherwise eligible woman; in contrast, false negatives may lead to an unnecessary SLNB and the need for a second surgical procedure. In this review, we aim to describe the anatomy of the axilla and breast regional lymph node, and their diagnostic features to discriminate between normal and pathological nodes at Ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Moreover, the technical aspects, the advantage and limitations of MRI versus US, and the possible future perspectives are also analyzed, through the analysis of the recent literature.
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Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with negative resection margins decreases the locoregional recurrence rate. Breast cancer size is one of the main determinants of Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging. Our study aimed to investigate the accuracy of supine 3D automated breast ultrasound (3D ABUS) compared to prone 3D ABUS in the evaluation of tumor size in breast cancer patient candidates for BCS. In this prospective two-center study (Groups 1 and 2), we enrolled patients with percutaneous biopsy-proven early-stage breast cancer, in the period between June 2019 and May 2020. Patients underwent hand-held ultrasound (HHUS), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) and 3D ABUS-supine 3D ABUS in Group 1 and prone 3D ABUS in Group 2. Histopathological examination (HE) was considered the reference standard. Bland-Altman analysis and plots were used. Eighty-eight patients were enrolled. Compared to prone, supine 3D ABUS showed better agreement with HE, with a slight tendency toward underestimation (mean difference of -2 mm). Supine 3D ABUS appears to be a useful tool and more accurate than HHUS in the staging of breast cancer.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia , Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate whether background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) of the contralateral breast on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral invasive breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 228 women (47.6 years ± 10 [SD]; range: 24-74 years) with invasive breast cancer who underwent NAC between 2005 and 2013 were included. All included patients underwent breast MRI before and after NAC. Quantitative semiautomated analysis of BPE of the contralateral healthy breast was performed. The enhancement level on baseline MRI (baseline BPE) and on MRI after chemotherapy (final BPE) and the change in enhancement rate between baseline MRI and final MRI were recorded. Cox regression was used to test associations between BPE variables, patient and tumor characteristics, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Subgroup analyses based on menopausal status and immunohistochemical subtypes were performed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 92 months. Multivariable analysis revealed that Ki-67 level (P = 0.026) and receipt of mastectomy (P = 0.015) were independent variables associated with OS while Ki-67 level (P = 0.010) and post-NAC pathological node categorization (P = 0.027) were independent variables associated with DFS. BPE was not associated with OS (P = 0.500, 0.546 and 0.712 for baseline BPE, final BPE and BPE change, respectively) or with DFS (P = 0.568, 0.412 and 0.327, respectively). CONCLUSION: BPE of the contralateral breast on MRI may have limited prognostic value in patients with breast cancer treated with NAC.