Spectral Ultrasound Combined With Clinical Pathological Parameters in Prediction of Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer

Pengfei Sun ¹, Jiaqi Han ², Min Li ³

⁰Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine : Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine +

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September 4, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Spectral Doppler ultrasound combined with Ki-67 and quantitative parameters accurately predicts breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis. This combined approach offers superior prediction compared to ultrasound alone.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Medical Imaging
Biomarkers

Background

Axillary lymph node metastasis is a critical prognostic factor in breast cancer.
Accurate prediction of metastasis is essential for guiding treatment decisions.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the clinical utility of a nomogram incorporating spectral Doppler ultrasound and clinicopathological parameters for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.
To develop and validate a predictive model for breast cancer axillary lymph node involvement.

Main Methods

Prospective data collection from 240 breast cancer patients, including clinicopathological and ultrasonic features.
Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis.
Development and validation of a prediction model using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve analyses.

Main Results

Tumor size, Ki-67, axillary ultrasound findings, spectral quantitative parameters, internal echo, and calcification were associated with lymph node metastasis.
Ki-67, axillary ultrasound, and quantitative spectral parameters (mean of mid-band fit) were identified as independent risk factors.
The combined model achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.83 and a Harrell C-index of 0.83, indicating strong predictive ability.

Conclusions

Combining axillary ultrasound with Ki-67 and spectral ultrasound parameters provides a powerful tool for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.
This integrated approach demonstrates superior predictive performance compared to axillary ultrasound alone.

Keywords:

axillary lymph node breast cancer metastasis quantitative ultrasound radio frequency