Indications for axillary ultrasound use in breast cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Axillary ultrasound has been adopted for preoperative planning in breast cancer. Our objective was to determine features predictive of abnormal AUS and/or positive axillary node needle biopsy (NBx).


METHODS
Single-institution database of breast cancer patients identified patients with preoperative AUS. Patient characteristics and outcomes were correlated with AUS and NBx. Significant features were identified using univariable and multivariable analysis and correlative statistics.


RESULTS
Three hundred thirteen breast cancers were evaluated. Abnormal AUS was demonstrated in 250 cases (80%). Node needle biopsy was performed in 247 cases (79%). Sensitivity and specificity was 93% and 48% for AUS and 86% and 100% for NBx, respectively. Palpable axillary adenopathy was significant in logistic regression model (P < .05). There were positive correlations between tumor grade, clinical T and tumor-node-metastasis stage, invasive ductal carcinoma histology, and inflammatory breast carcinoma with AUS and NBx (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicopathologic features (grade, histology, tumor size) might help guide judicious use of AUS.
Comprehensive Breast Program, Department of Women's Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
Jennifer E
JE
Joh
Gang
G
Han
John V
JV
Kiluk
Christine
C
Laronga
Nazanin
N
Khakpour
M Catherine
MC
Lee
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult