Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography in the radiological assessment of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Abstract

Accurate morphological assessment and measurement of the residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy are vital for the effective surgical treatment in patients with breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy response is measured by RECIST 1.1 criteria (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), and the classification of the specific therapeutic responses is based on the difference in the tumour size prior to and after chemotherapy. There are currently a few methods of imaging used in the assessment of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy response. Conventional mammography remains the most popular method, whereas magnetic resonance imaging is considered the most effective ones. Nonetheless, the available methods tend to be imperfect and limited, and therefore, new methods are constantly investigated. Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography is a relatively new method used in breast cancer diagnosis, which involves the phenomenon of neoangiogenesis of cancerous tumours, allowing contrast enhancement in the areas of vessel proliferation in the background of the surrounding breast tissue. Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography presents sensitivity similar to magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer detection, and can be an efficient method used in monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy response.