Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in Breast Cancer: Correlations with Prognostic Factors

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#To correlate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with prognostic factors of breast cancer.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#24 breast cancer patients were evaluated with CEUS. As a quantitative analysis, the peak enhancement (PE), wash-in and wash-out area under curve (WiWoAUC), wash-in rate (WiR) and wash-out rate, rise time, fall time, mean transit time, time to peak, and wash-in perfusion index (WiPI) were measured. As a qualitative analysis, the enhancement patterns were evaluated. Pathologic prognostic factors, including histologic grade, hormonal receptors and Ki-67 proliferative index were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Correlation of quantitative and qualitative parameters of CEUS with prognostic factors was assessed.@*RESULTS@#We found that the quantitative CEUS values (PE, WiWoAUC, and WiPI) of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer were higher than those of ER negative counterpart (all p 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The CEUS parameters were helpful in predicting prognostic factors, such as ER positivity or triple negativity. However, they could not predict the histologic grade.