title: 3D breast ultrasound: a significant predictor in breast cancer reduction under pre-operative chemotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective was the investigation of a possible predictive quantitative impact of initial tumor sphericity, measured by 3D sonography, on response to pre-operative chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This 3D ultrasound study was conducted on 41 consecutive primary breast cancer patients who received pre-operative epirubicin and paclitaxel chemotherapy; the tumors were measured by 3D sonography and by pathology after chemotherapy. Sphericity was defined as the ratio of the smallest to the largest extent by 3D sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A predictive impact of initial tumor sphericity on response to pre-operative chemotherapy was quantitatively identified for the first time. Sphericity was a significant predictor of pathological complete remission with a rank difference of 0.34 or about 1/3 i.e., spherical tumors were more likely to show successful remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tumor sphericity as defined from 3D sonography could be predictive of response to pre-operative chemotherapy regimens; prospective investigation is suggested.
authors: Department of Senology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors: Mathias
authors: M
authors: Warm
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Duda
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Eichler
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Harbeck
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Gossmann
authors: Anke
authors: A
authors: Thomas
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Hoopmann
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Ohlinger
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Breidenbach
authors: Ronald E
authors: RE
authors: Kates
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D017239:Paclitaxel