Is There a Correlation between Multiparametric Assessment in Ultrasound and Intrinsic Subtype of Breast Cancer?

Abstract

Molecular profile of breast cancer provides information about its biological activity, prognosis and treatment strategies. The purpose of our study was to investigate the correlation between ultrasound features and molecular subtypes of breast cancer. From June 2019 to December 2019, 86 patients (median age 57 years; range 32–88) with 102 breast cancer tumors were included in the study. The molecular subtypes were classified into five types: luminal A (LA), luminal B without HER2 overexpression (LB HER2−), luminal B with HER2 overexpression (LB HER2+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Histopathological verification was obtained in core biopsy or/and post-surgery specimens in all cases. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the subtypes and ultrasound imaging features. Experienced radiologists assessed lesions according to the BIRADS-US lexicon. The ultrasound scans were performed with a Supersonic Aixplorer and Supersonix. Based on histopathological verification, the rates of LA, LB HER2−, LB HER2+, HER2+, and TNBC were 33, 17, 17, 16, 19, respectively. Both LB HER2+ and HER2+ subtypes presented higher incidence of calcification (OR = 3.125, p = 0.02, CI 0.0917–5.87) and HER2+ subtype presented a higher incidence of posterior enhancement (OR = 5.75, p = 0.03, CI 1.2257–32.8005), compared to other subtypes. The calcifications were less common in TNBC (OR = 0.176, p = 0.0041, CI 0.0469–0.5335) compared to other subtypes. There were no differences with regard to margin, shape, orientation, elasticity values and vascularity among five molecular subtypes. Our results suggest that there is a correlation between ultrasonographic features assessed according to BIRADS-US lexicon and BC subtypes with HER2 overexpression (both LB HER2+ and HER2+). It may be useful for identification of these aggressive subtypes of breast cancer.

The Utility of Quantitative Parameters of Shear-Wave Elastography to Predict Prognostic Histologic Features of Breast Cancer

“…Because IHC-based subtyping plays a central role in the management of breast cancer, several studies have been focused on investigating the utility of imaging findings to predict histopathologic prognostic factors. Various studies have shown that US features differ according to prognostic markers and these findings help us to gain a deeper understanding of tumor biology 13,14 . However, inconsistent results obtained from studies and the subjective nature of the US make it harder to generalize the findings and implement routine practice.…”

“…Various studies have shown that US features differ according to prognostic markers and these findings help us to gain a deeper understanding of tumor biology. 13,14 However, inconsistent results obtained from studies and the subjective nature of the US make it harder to generalize the findings and implement routine practice.…”

The value of Demetics ultrasound‐assisted diagnosis system in diagnosis of breast lesions and in assessment Ki‐67 status of breast cancer

“…Previous studies have found that compared with other molecular subtypes, triple-negative breast cancers often have relatively clear margins, elliptical shapes, micro lobulated margins, posterior acoustic enhancement and similarities to benign masses such as fibroadenomas. [26][27][28] This may be related to its relatively rapid progression. In addition, we found that Demetics erroneously identified some extremely low echo nodules as anechoic, resulting in misdiagnosis as breast cysts.…”

Deep learning radiomics model based on breast ultrasound video to predict HER2 expression status

“…Ultrasound is one of the routine preoperative examinations for breast cancer and has been widely used for the preoperative characterization of breast lesions because it is non-invasive and easy to perform. The molecular staging of breast cancer has been shown to correlate with its ultrasound characteristics (20)(21)(22). Radiomics has been widely used in the diagnosis of breast cancer (23).…”