Automated breast tumor segmentation in DWI using multi-modality image registration: a feasibility study using multi-center data

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in MRI plays an important role in diagnostic applications. Automated tumor segmentation is an important yet challenging step for quantitative breast imaging analysis. While methods have been developed for dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI, automatic segmentation in breast DWI-MRI is still underdeveloped. The purpose of this study is to develop methods to transfer functional tumor volume (FTV) analysis ROI from DCE-MRI image space to DWI-MRI image space using image registration and extract ADC statistics in regions corresponding to those of DCE segmentations for prediction of pathologic treatment response (pCR).