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Research progress in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics
WANG Guoyu  ZHANG Hui  LI Yi 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.029.


[Abstract] Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide, and the presence of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) is a critical determinant of both patient prognosis and therapeutic strategy. Invasive diagnostic methods like sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) carry risks of complications and false-negative results, creating a pressing clinical need for developing accurate, non-invasive preoperative assessment tools. Radiomics provides a novel technical approach for decoding tumor heterogeneity and predicting ALNM by high-throughput extraction and analysis of medical imaging features. Among these, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)-based radiomics has become a research focus in predicting ALNM in breast cancer and demonstrates promising application potential. However, there remains a lack of systematic reviews in this field, which has to some extent constrained the standardized development of non-invasive assessment techniques for ALN in breast cancer and their translation into clinical practice. This article systematically outlines the three developmental stages of DCE-MRI radiomics in predicting ALNM (feasibility validation of models, exploration of the value of the peritumoral region, and construction of multiparameter fusion models) while also providing an in-depth analysis of the standardization challenges faced by this field and proposing future research directions. The aim is to offer evidence-based support and clinical references for researchers and radiologists, with the goal of enhancing the precision of individualized diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer patients.
[Keywords] breast cancer；dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging；radiomics；axillary lymph nodes；lymphatic metastasis

WANG Guoyu1, 2   ZHANG Hui2*   LI Yi1, 2  

1 Graduate School, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China

2 Department of Radiology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, China

Corresponding author: ZHANG H, E-mail: wszzzhui@163.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-10-15
Accepted  2026-01-04
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.029
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.029.

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