Keywords
MRI
tumor regression
perifocal edema
How to Cite
Abstract
In press
Background. Monitoring tumor regression and perifocal edema using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is becoming crucial in NeoAdjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC) for Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), as conventional imaging methods have low reliability for assessing treatment response.
Aim. To investigate the role of MRI in addressing key clinical issues during NAC in patients with IBC. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of MRI in dynamically assessing the primary tumor and perifocal edema zone, which is essential for adjusting treatment strategies and predicting therapy response.
Materials and Methods. The study included 36 patients with IBC at stage T4bN0–3M0. MRI was performed before treatment and after NAC to evaluate tumor regression and perifocal edema. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica 14.0 (TIBCO Software Inc., USA) with non-parametric methods for small samples. Data are presented as Me (median). Results were compared between groups using the Wilcoxon test. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.
Research Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024), European Community Directive 86/609 on the participation of humans in biomedical research, and Order No.690 of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated September 23, 2009. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Results. Reduction of the edema zone on MRI after adding ranselex to NAC was significantly greater than without it (78.3% vs. 67.7%; p<0.05). Regression of the primary tumor in the ranselex group was also significantly higher (69.2% vs. 57.5%; p<0.05). Primary tumor regression was statistically significantly greater in the combination therapy group (69.2% vs. 57.5%; p<0.05). Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was effective in detecting residual tumor tissue after NAC, with a sensitivity of 92.8%, specificity of 82.0%, and overall accuracy of 85.6%.
Conclusions. The feasibility of using MRI as an effective tool for monitoring tumor regression and perifocal edema in IBC patients during NAC and for surgical planning has been confirmed. This enables timely adjustment of treatment regimens and increases the likelihood of treatment response.
Keywords: oncology, MRI, tumor regression, perifocal edema.
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