Risk of second breast cancer uncovered by breast MRI

According to a recent study, breast tissue features visible on MRI are linked with the future risk of second breast cancer in people with a history of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the main cause of cancer-related death in women and is the most diagnosed cancer globally. Due to developments in early detection and treatment, more women are surviving breast cancer; however, these women still face a more significant risk of second breast cancer.
The preferred method for imaging women with a history of breast cancer is breast MRI, with previous studies showing that it has a higher cancer detection rate than mammography.
Study lead author Dr Lee and colleagues studied the link between background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), the brightening of background tissue on MRI after issuing a contrast agent, and second cancer risk. The grade of BPE can vary between women and is thought to be associated with the permeability of breast tissue and variations in the blood supply, which is affected by hormonal status. Breast cancer treatment in the form of endocrine therapy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy can also change the BPE in the treated breast.
In the study, one hundred and nine women out of nearly three thousand developed breast cancer at a median follow-up of five point eight. Marked, moderate or mild BPE at surveillance breast MRI was associated with an enlarged risk of second breast cancer in the future compared to minimal BPE.
Dr Lee stated, “The results suggest that BPE at postoperative surveillance breast MRI may indicate the response to breast cancer treatment and may be a predictor of the modified risk of second breast cancer after treatment in women with a personal history of breast cancer.”
Dr Lee said that the study findings point to a role for BPE measurements in refining screening pathways for women with primary breast cancer.