03 Jul Improving Breast Cancer Diagnosis With Non-Invasive PET/MRI
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Katja Pinker MD
Department of Radiology
Medical University of Vienna ·
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Pinker: We hypothesized that by imaging multiple key processes involved in cancer development and growth with multiparametric PET/MRI an improved non-invasive diagnosis of breast tumors is possible. To test this hypothesis, we conducted this first clinical feasibility study.
Mutliparametric PET/MRI allows an improved non-invasive differentiation of benign and mailgnant breast tumors than currently used contrast-enhanced MRI alone. By its use unnecessary breast biopsies in benign tumors can be avoided without missing cancer.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Pinker:: We were not surprised by the results. Our previous studies as well as studies from other authors have shown that the more information we can get about breast tumors, the deeper is the understanding of tumor biology, the more accurate is tumor characterization and the better is the diagnosis.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Pinker:: Currently new radiotracers specifically targeting key processes involved in cancer growth as well as other MRI parameters are under investigation and translated into the clinics. This first clinical feasibility study has to be seen as a frame-work for further PET/MRI studies using specific radio tracers or other novel MR parameters.
Citation:
Last Updated on July 3, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD