The relationship of breast density in mammography and magnetic resonance imaging in high-risk women and women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between mammographic breast density (MBD), background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), and fibroglandular tissue (FGT) in women with breast cancer (BC) and at high risk for developing BC.

METHODS

Our institutional database was queried for patients who underwent mammography and MRI.

RESULTS

Four hundred three (85%) had BC and 72 (15%) were at high risk. MBD (P=.0005), BPE (P<.0001), and FGT (P=.02) were all higher in high-risk women compared to the BC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of MBD, BPE and FGT are seen in women at higher risk for developing BC when compared to women with BC.