[Ultrasound blood flow measurement in malignant tumors is a possible new prognostic factor].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to find a possible relationship between biological behavior of breast cancer and sonographically detectable blood flow.


METHODS
157 patients with ductal invasive breast cancer were examined by means of a new sonographic procedure, the MEM (Maximum Entropy Method), able to detect considerably lower blood flow velocities than doppler sonography. In the absence of objectifyable quantification methods, findings were allotted to 3 classes, depending on the visual color information obtained. Blood flow was correlated to tumor size, lymph node and receptor status, ploidy and S-phase-fraction.


RESULTS
Most patients with small tumors, no lymph node metatases, positive receptors, diploid genome and low S-phase found to have low blood flow.


CONCLUSIONS
This close relation between established prognostic factors and results of sonographic blood flow examination with the MEM might indicate a new preoperative prognostic factor, which, however, will have to be proven by larger studies.
Sohn
C
C
Sektion für pränatale und gynäkologische Ultraschalldiagnostik und Therapie, Universitätsfrauenklinik Heidelberg.
Bastert
G
G
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000295:instrumentation*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
Die sonographische Blutflussmessung in malignen Tumoren ein möglicher neuer Prognosefaktor.