Tumor size of breast invasive ductal cancer measured with contrast-enhanced ultrasound predicts regional lymph node metastasis and N stage.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the role of breast invasive ductal cancer (BIDC) size measured with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the prediction of regional lymph node metastasis (LNM) and N stage.


METHODS
One hundred and six consecutive patients with breast lesions underwent ultrasound imaging within 2 weeks before mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. The largest transverse (width) and anteroposterior (depth) diameter were measured under CEUS by using calipers. The correlation between tumor size and regional LNM metastasis and N stage was evaluated.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed the diameters measured with CEUS were associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The tumor size could distinguish grouped N stage (all P < 0.05). Tumor area (TA) might be an indicator that can differentiate No BIDC from N1-3 BIDC (cutoff = 5.37 cm(2)), N0-1 BIDC from N2-3 BIDC (cutoff = 6.48 cm(2)), and N0-2 BIDC from N3 BIDC (cutoff = 8.23 cm(2)) with the sensitivity of 71%, 72% and 83%, respectively, and the specificity of 79%, 68% and 84%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The TA of BIDC measured with CEUS may be a predictor of regional LNM and N stage.
Department of Ultrasound, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha 410011, China ; Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Zhiyuan
Z
Wang
Department of Ultrasound, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha 410011, China.
Qichang
Q
Zhou
Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, The School of Public Administration of Central South University Changsha 410011, China.
Jun
J
Liu
Department of Ultrasound, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Shichu
S
Tang
Department of Ultrasound, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Xia
X
Liang
Department of Ultrasound, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Zhengyu
Z
Zhou
Department of Breast Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Ying
Y
He
Department of Ultrasound, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Hui
H
Peng
Health Management Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha 410013, China.
Yuanming
Y
Xiao
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015588:Observer Variation; D010743:Phospholipids; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D047368:Tumor Burden; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
Breast invasive ductal cancer; N stage; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; lymph node metastasis