Accuracy of ultrasonography and mammography in predicting pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduces tumor size before surgery in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of mammography and ultrasound to predict residual tumor size following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.


METHODS
In a retrospective review of consecutive breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, residual tumor size estimated by diagnostic imaging was compared with residual tumor size determined by surgical pathology.


RESULTS
One hundred ninety-two patients with 196 primary breast cancers were studied. Of 104 tumors evaluated by both imaging modalities, ultrasound was able to size 91.3%, and mammography was able to size only 51.9% (chi(2)P < .001). Ultrasound also was more accurate than mammography in estimating residual tumor size (62 of 104 [59.6%] vs 33 of 104 [31.7%], P < .001). There was little difference in the ability of mammography and ultrasound to predict pathologic complete response (receiver operating characteristic, 0.741 vs 0.784).


CONCLUSIONS
Breast ultrasound was more accurate than mammography in predicting residual tumor size following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The likelihood of a complete pathologic response was 80% when both imaging modalities demonstrated no residual disease.
Keune
Jason D
JD
Department of Surgery, Division of Health Behavior Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
Jeffe
Donna B
DB
Schootman
Mario
M
Hoffman
Abigail
A
Gillanders
William E
WE
Aft
Rebecca L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary