Fig. 6

Selected semantic parameters with known biological correlates. They can be readily implemented into clinical practice. Rim enhancement (A) was among the first morphologic parameters reported in the literature and reflects an aggressive cancers phenotype. This is also suggested by the adjacent vessel sign (A, magnification: dotted red arrow) [50]. Rim enhancement is thought to reflect central hypovascularity due to connective tissue, fibrosis, and/or necrosis. Necrosis sign (B) specifically depicts central colliquative (liquid) necrosis (B, magnification: full red arrow), characterised by a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images within the centre of the tumour. Invasion of the cancer into the nipple areolar complex is related to poor outcome. The semantic criterion described as “destruction of nipple line” (C) is best depicted on DCE images (C, magnification: red arrow). Further details including diagnostic performance of semantic parameters are provided in Table 1