PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To determine whether detailed kinetic analysis of FDG PET and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies for measures of tumor metabolism and blood perfusion can predict response and outcome for breast cancer patients undergoing neo-adjuvant therapy.
II. To compare the in vivo tumor biology associated with responsive and resistant tumors as measured by kinetic changes in FDG PET and MR imaging parameters to tumor subtypes analyzed from assay of pre-therapy biopsy and post-therapy surgical tissue.
OUTLINE:
Patients undergo FDG PET and DCE-MRI 1-2 weeks before prior to chemotherapy initiation, between 1-12 weeks after initiation of the first course of chemotherapy, and after the completion of chemotherapy (within 4 weeks prior to surgery).
