THE ROLE OF DIFFUSION WEIGHTED MRI IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND FOLLOW UP OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Breast cancer is a major health problem in women and early detection is of prime importance. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides both physical and physiologic tissue features that are useful in discriminating malignant from benign lesions. Contrast enhanced MRI is valuable for diagnosis of small tumors in dense breast and the structural and kinetic parameters improved the specificity of diagnosing benign from malignant lesions. It is a complimentary modality for preoperative staging, to follow response to therapy, to detect recurrences and for screening high risk women .yet there is some degree of overlap occurs between benign and malignant lesions. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) provides image contrast through measurement of the diffusion properties of water within tissues. Application of diffusion improves the specificity of DCE-MRI to differentiate benign and malignant lesions. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) also can monitor the tumor response to chemotherapy.