Correlation of Base Enhancement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Breast Cancer Risk and Tumor Aggressiveness

• Grant number: 25/18675-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Carvalho Pessoa
• Grantee: Nicolle Batistini Madruga
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Brazil and the 15th leading cause of mortality worldwide. Screening programs are essential to reduce mortality, with mammography being the gold standard. For high-risk women, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred due to its higher sensitivity. Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on MRI, defined as the degree of enhancement of fibroglandular tissue after contrast administration, has been associated with breast cancer risk, but the relationship remains controversial, especially in Brazilian populations.Objective: To evaluate the correlation between BPE on MRI and breast cancer risk and tumor aggressiveness, defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), as well as to identify variables that influence BPE.Methods: Analytical and retrospective clinical trial, analyzing patients who underwent breast MRI at the Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu (UNESP) between 2014 and 2024. BPE will be classified according to the BI-RADS system, and tumor subtypes will be assessed by IHC.Keywords: Breast cancer, magnetic resonance imaging, background parenchymal enhancement, risk, immunohistochemistry.