Predicting pathological response of locally advanced breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: comparing the performance of whole body 18F-FDG PETCT versus DCE-MRI of the breast

Abstract Background With the expansion of use neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), both dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET CT) are promising methods for assessment tumor response during chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy DCE-MRI &18 F-FDG PETCT regarding early chemotherapy (NAC) patients (LABC) pathologic complete (pCR) prediction. Results A total forty LABC who had NAC were included study. Before NAC, PET/CT used. Various morphological functional criteria compared linked with post-operative pathology both. The MRI sensitivity specificity assessing conjunction pathological data 100% ( p = 0.001) 12.5% 0.18) respectively. equivalent readings 94.1% 25% 0.18), respectively, although estimated was same measuring (72%). a higher overall than axillary lymph nodes (ALN) (64% 56%, respectively). Longest diameter lesion, ADC value, maximal enhancement baseline MRI, SUV max mean all significant predictors rCR. Conclusion During primary mass ALN, demonstrated better predicting pCR patients. Although equally accurate detecting more ALN NAC.