Histological Grade and Immunohistochemical Biomarkers of Breast Cancer: Correlation to Ultrasound Features

The purpose of this study is to correlate various features of breast cancers on ultrasound to their histological grade and immunohistochemical biomarkers.

Seventy-three patients with 77 invasive breast cancers, diagnosed between August 2011 and December 2014, were included in this prospective analysis. Margin, posterior features, shape, and vascularity were determined from ultrasound and classified according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon. Histological grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status (positive [+] or negative [-]) were determined from surgical pathology reports. The cancers were categorized into low grade (grades 1 or 2) and high grade (grade 3). Correlation of ultrasound features of the cancers to their histological grade and receptor status was performed.

There were 47 low-grade and 29 high-grade cancers. There was a significant difference in margin and posterior features between the low and high grade, ER + and ER-, and PR + and PR- (all P < .05), but not between HER2 + and HER2- cancers (both P > .05). There was no significant difference in shape and vascularity among the different subtypes (all P > .05). Spiculated margin was significantly associated with low-grade, ER+, PR + status; angular margin with high grade; microlobulated margin with ER- status; shadowing with PR + status; and enhancement with high grade, ER- status (all P < .05, all odds ratios ≥ 3.94).

There was significant association of margin and posterior features of breast cancers with their histological grade and receptor status.