Relation between cancer cellularity and apparent diffusion coefficient values using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between cancer cellularity and the apparent diffusion coefficient ( ADC) value using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer. Materials and methods. The subjects were 27 women who had undergone operation for breast cancer. There were 27 breast cancer lesions, 24 of which were invasive ductal carcinoma ( IDC) and 3 of which were noninvasive ductal carcinoma ( NIDC). Results. The mean ADC values of IDC, NIDC, and normal breasts were 1.07 +/- 0.19 . 10(-3), 1.42 +/- 0.17 . 10(-3), and 1.96 +/- 0.21 . 10(-3) mm(2)/ s, respectively. The mean ADC values of IDC and NIDC were significantly different from that of normal breasts ( P < 0.001 each). The mean ADC values were also significantly different between IDC and NIDC ( P < 0.001). There was no correlation between the ADC value and cancer cellularity. Conclusion. The mean ADC values for breast cancer were significantly different from that of normal breasts. The mean ADC value for breast cancer did not significantly correlate with cancer cellularity but did correlate with histological types.