Ultrasonographic features of different molecular subtypes of no specific type invasive breast carcinoma / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the ultrasonographic features of different molecular subtypes of no specific type invasive breast carcinoma. Methods According to immunohistochemical results, 193 patients with no specific type invasive breast carcinoma were divided into 4 molecular subtypes, i.e. Luminal A-like type (n=46), Luminal B-like type (n=98), HER-2 expression type (n=22) and basal-like type (n=27). The ultrasonographic features of the 4 molecular subtypes breast carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed, including the shape, edge, direction, internal echo, rear echo change, calcification, blood flow, tumor sizes, histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the tumor sizes (0.05), but in the histopathological grade (grade , Ⅱ, III), there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Totally 6 ultrasonographic features (shape, edge, direction, internal echo, rear echo change and calcification) had statistically significant differences among 4 subtypes (all P<0.01), while the blood flow had no statistically significant difference (P=0.16). Conclusion The ultrasonographic features of different molecular subtypes of no specific type invasive breast carcinoma have certain characteristics. The difference of ultrasonographic features is limited between Luminal A-like and Luminal B-like types, which may bring difficulties for differential diagnosis.