Breast tumor movements analysis using MRI scans in prone and supine positions

We quantitatively evaluated breast tumor movement and volume changes between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in prone and supine positions. Twenty-seven breast tumor patients who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) for breast-conserving surgery were studied. Before and after NST, MRI scans in prone and supine positions were performed immediately. Tumor segmentation, volume, and position of tumors were evaluated in both positions. Average tumor volumes in prone and supine positions did not significantly differ (p = 0.877). Tumor movement from prone to supine positions from the origin of the bottom center of the sternum was strongly correlated with the distance from the tumor center to the chest wall (r = 0.669; p < 0.05). Tumor changes from prone to supine positions measured from the origin of the nipple depended on the location of the tumor in the breast. The prone-to-supine movement of all tumors from the origin of the bottom center of the sternum tended to move outward from the sagittal centerline of the body on the coronal plane, to the inside of the body on the sagittal plane, and outward and downward close to the body on the axial plane, which might help in planning operations using prone MRI in supine-position breast cancer surgery.