The Convergence of Radiology and Genomics: Advancing Breast Cancer Diagnosis with Radiogenomics

Simple Summary Significant strides have been made in the understanding and management of breast cancer (BC), yet it remains a pervasive and life-threatening illness globally, necessitating precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Molecular subtyping of BC is crucial for prognostic and predictive purposes due to its diverse clinical behaviors. Disparities in diagnosis and outcomes across different populations, particularly among individuals of African heritage, underscore the importance of localized research efforts. Early detection and treatment are imperative for improving survival rates, prompting the emergence of radiogenomics within precision medicine as a promising avenue. Radiogenomics, which integrates genetic patterns with imaging features, holds potential for enhancing early detection, prognosis, and treatment selection. By eliminating the need for biopsy and sequencing, it streamlines clinical workflows and contributes to advancing individualized patient care. However, challenges such as reproducibility, standardization, and data integration remain, highlighting the need for further research and validation, particularly in prospective multi-institutional settings. Despite limitations, radiogenomics stands as a promising frontier in breast cancer research, with the potential to revolutionize patient care through its non-invasive approach and ability to correlate genomic information with imaging phenotypes. Abstract Despite significant progress in the prevention, screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of breast cancer (BC), it remains a highly prevalent and life-threatening disease affecting millions worldwide. Molecular subtyping of BC is crucial for predictive and prognostic purposes due to the diverse clinical behaviors observed across various types. The molecular heterogeneity of BC poses uncertainties in its impact on diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Numerous studies have highlighted genetic and environmental differences between patients from different geographic regions, emphasizing the need for localized research. International studies have revealed that patients with African heritage are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage and exhibit poorer responses to treatment and lower survival rates. Despite these global findings, there is a dearth of in-depth studies focusing on communities in the African region. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are paramount to improving survival rates. In this context, radiogenomics emerges as a promising field within precision medicine. By associating genetic patterns with image attributes or features, radiogenomics has the potential to significantly improve early detection, prognosis, and diagnosis. It can provide valuable insights into potential treatment options and predict the likelihood of survival, progression, and relapse. Radiogenomics allows for visual features and genetic marker linkage that promises to eliminate the need for biopsy and sequencing. The application of radiogenomics not only contributes to advancing precision oncology and individualized patient treatment but also streamlines clinical workflows. This review aims to delve into the theoretical underpinnings of radiogenomics and explore its practical applications in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of BC and to put radiogenomics on a path towards fully integrated diagnostics.