We wanted to evaluate the relation of the kinetic MRI features of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with the histopathological prognostic factors of breast cancer.

Fifty-four lesions of breast cancer patients were evaluated with using a 1.5 T MR scanner. The dynamic studies were performed in the axial plane with using T1 High Resolution Isotropic Volume Examination (THRIVE) so we obtained the time signal intensity curves. By considering the early peak signal intensity, the maximal signal intensity, the pre-enhanced signal intensity and the last signal intensity, we calculated the absolute value, percentage, slope of enhancement and the washout. The time of the early peak signal intensity and the time of the maximal signal intensity were obtained. We classified the early and delayed enhancement patterns. The kinetic MR features were correlated with the histopathological findings (the histologic and nuclear grades, estrogen receptor, progesteron receptor, Ki-67, p53 and c-erb B2).

The early peak signal intensity slope was significantly correlated with the histologic grade (I versus II, III), and the Ki-67 (p=0.045, p=0.009). Ki-67 was also significantly correlated with the time of the peak signal intensity and the time of the maximal signal intensity (p=0.009, p=0.045).

Some of the parameters of the time-signal intensity curve of dynamic MRI were associated with the prognostic factors, so these MRI signs may be useful to noninvasively identify prognostic factors in the future.