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Imaging of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

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Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a unique breast cancer subtype with a basal-like gene expression profile and high histologic grade. Compared to the other molecular subtypes of breast cancer, TNBC is seen more often in younger women with dense breast tissue. Thus, TNBC is less likely to be detected with routine mammographic screening. Parallel to having a typical demographic pattern and clinical presentation, imaging findings in TNBC are also characteristic. Some TNBC may present with benign features on mammography and ultrasound, which may result in a delay in diagnosis of this aggressive tumor subtype. In this chapter, we summarize frequently seen imaging features of TNBC on mammography, ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission mammography (PEM). We emphasize the appropriate role of each modality in detecting, characterizing, and staging TNBC, in monitoring the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and their potential role in the long-term follow-up of these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Ann R. Mootz MD & Basak E. Dogan MD, FSBI

Authors
  1. Ann R. Mootz MD
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  2. Basak E. Dogan MD, FSBI
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Correspondence to Ann R. Mootz MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Solid Tumor Oncology and Investigational Therapeutics, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

    Antoinette R. Tan

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Mootz, A.R., Dogan, B.E. (2018). Imaging of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. In: Tan, A. (eds) Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69980-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69980-6_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-69979-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-69980-6

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