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Elevated TSC in breast lesions measured by non-invasive (23)Na MRI appears to be a cellular-level indicator associated with malignancy. This method may have potential to improve the specificity of breast MRI with only a modest increase in scan time per patient.

Computed tomography (CT) was used to examine 634 solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Each lesion was assessed as benign or indeterminate on the basis of CT criteria. Benign nodules made up 44% of all SPNs and 58% of the 431 that were 2 cm or less in diameter. All malignant SPNs were assessed as indeterminate, and adenocarcinoma (42%) was the most common primary malignancy. A total of 176 (63% of benign SPNs) were correctly assessed as benign by CT. Ninety SPNs assessed as diffusely calcified were not so identified by conventional tomography at outside institutions. An SPN can be reliably assessed by CT as benign if it exhibits high attenuation values, exceeding a critical level and distributed diffusely throughout a CT section through the center of the lesion and a well-defined edge. Although 38 of 283 (13.4%) primary lung cancers contained localized calcification, there was no significant overlap with the diffuse calcification of benign lesions. Central carcinoid tumors may contain focal ossification, but such lesions may be recognized by noting the proximity of larger bronchi. Assessment of SPNs by CT is most effective for lesions 2.0 cm or less in diameter. For larger lesions, the frequency of benign disease was decreased (14.3% of 203), as was the percentage of benign SPNs correctly assessed as benign by CT (37.9%).

The increased use of preoperative chemotherapy has raised new questions concerning the optimal methods to stage and monitor disease response to treatment and how to optimize locoregional treatment. The available evidence suggests that a multidisciplinary approach improves outcomes.

Forty-seven patients with a proved (n = 31) or presumed (n = 16) diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma were studied prospectively by thin-section computed tomography (CT). CT criteria for hamartoma included a diameter of 2.5 cm or less, a smooth edge, and focal collections of fat or fat alternating with areas of calcification. No case of cancer (n = 283) or metastatic disease (n = 72) fulfilled these criteria. Seventeen hamartomas with no detectable calcium or fat were not diagnosed by means of CT. Two other lesions contained diffuse calcium deposits. In 28 lesions, a CT diagnosis of hamartoma was based on the detection of fat (n = 18) or calcium plus fat (n = 10). Twelve such cases were proved histologically by means of thoracotomy or needle biopsy; the remainder, including eight in asymptomatic patients aged 65 years or older, were managed with conservative follow-up.

Most breast cancers originate in the epithelial cells lining the breast ducts. Intraductal administration of cancer therapeutics would lead to high drug exposure to ductal cells and eliminate preinvasive neoplasms while limiting systemic exposure. We performed preclinical studies in N-methyl-N’-nitrosourea–treated rats to compare the effects of 5-fluorouracil, carboplatin, nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel, and methotrexate to the previously reported efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) on treatment of early and established mammary tumors. Protection from tumor growth was observed with all five agents, with extensive epithelial destruction present only in PLD-treated rats. Concurrently, we initiated a clinical trial to establish the feasibility, safety, and maximum tolerated dose of intraductal PLD. In each eligible woman awaiting mastectomy, we visualized one ductal system and administered dextrose or PLD using a dose-escalation schema (2 to 10 mg). Intraductal administration was successful in 15 of 17 women with no serious adverse events. Our preclinical studies suggest that several agents are candidates for intraductal therapy. Our clinical trial supports the feasibility of intraductal administration of agents in the outpatient setting. If successful, administration of agents directly into the ductal system may allow for “breast-sparing mastectomy” in select women.

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Rationale and Objectives-We conducted a prospective study to investigate using multiparametric and multinuclear magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) during preoperative systemic treatment(PST) for locally advanced breast cancer.Methods-Women with operable stage II or III breast cancer who received PST were studied using dynamic-contrast-enhanced(DCE)-MRI, spectroscopy(MRS), and ( 23 Na)sodium MR. Quantitative metrics of choline peak signal-to-noise ratios(SNR), total sodium concentration(TSC;mM), tumor volumes and Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) were determined and compared to final pathological result with ROC analysis. Hormonal markers were investigated. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Results-Eighteen(n=18) eligible women were studied. Fifteen(n=15) responded to therapy, four(22%) with pathological-complete-response(pCR) and eleven(61%) with a pathologicalpartial-response(pPR). Three patients(17%) had no response(pNR). Among ER+, HER2+, and Triple Negative(TN) phenotypes, observed frequencies of pCR, pPR, and pNR were 2/5/0, 1/4/0, and 1/1/3, respectively. Responders(pCR and pPR) had the largest reduction in choline SNR (35%:7.2±2.3 to 4.6±2;p<0.01) compared to pNR(11%:8.4±2.7 to 7.5±3.6;p=0.13) after the first cycle. TSC significantly decreased in responders(27%:66±18 to 48.4±8mM;p=0.01), while there was little change in non-responders(51.7±7.6 to 56.5±1.6;p=0.50). Lesion volume decreased in responders(40%:78±78 to 46±51mm 3 ;p=0.01) and nonresponders(21%:100±104 to 79.2±87 mm 3 ;p=0.23) after the first cycle. The largest reduction in RECIST occurred after the first treatment in responders(18%:24.5±20 to 20.2±18mm;p=0.01) with a slight decrease in tumor diameter noted in nonresponders(17%;23±19 to 19.2±19.1mm;p=0.80). Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Conclusion-Multiparametric and Multinuclear imaging parameters were significantly reduced after the first cycle of PST in responders, specifically, Choline SNR and Sodium. These new surrogate radiological biomarkers maybe able to predict and provide a platform for potential adaptive therapy in patients. NIH Public Access