Early Prediction of Nodal Status Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment of Breast Cancer Utilising MR Parameters

Martin D. Pickles¹, Gary P. Liney¹, Martin Lowry¹, Lindsay W. Turnbull¹

Malignant axillary lymph nodes (ALN) status following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the most significant predictor of a reduced survival interval for breast cancer patients. The purpose of this work was to determine if MR parameters obtained prior to and early during NAC could predict ALN status following NAC. If successful, treatment could be altered to increase the likelihood of a negative ALN status at surgery. The results form this study indicate that a combination of the baseline apparent spin-spin relaxation rate and changes in tumour volume at the second treatment cycle best predict ALN status.