Gradually enhancing breast cancer on dynamic MRI

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency and the radiologic and pathologic features of gradually enhancing breast cancers on contrast enhanced dynamic MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 83 patients with pathologically proven breast cancer underwent contrast enhanced dynamic MRI. Breast cancers that showed a gradually enhancing pattern were selected, and their pathological features and the findings in other imaging modalities were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 83 lesions, 8 lesions (10%) showed a gradually enhancing pattern on dynamic MRI. The lesions included 3 papillotubular carcinomas, 3 scirrhous carcinomas, one solid-tubular carcinoma, and one mucinous carcinoma. All of them had imaging features suggesting malignancy on mammography and ultrasonography. Histopathologically, all 7 invasive ductal carcinomas showed prominent fibrosis in the stroma, and one showed many dilated ducts. One mucinous carcinoma showed large mucinous pools. CONCLUSION: Some breast cancers may show a gradually enhancing pattern on dynamic MRI. Other imaging features should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of breast tumors.