Clinical and X-ray characteristics for expressions of different receptors in patients with breast cancer.

Abstract

Clarifying the expression of breast cancer receptor is the key to clinical treatment for breast cancer. This study aims to explore the correlation between X-ray and clinical characteristics of 4 molecular subtypes and their receptor types of breast cancer. A total of 439 breast cancer patients who confirmed by pathology and performed X-ray examination were enrolled. The X-ray and clinical characteristics of 4 molecular subtypes and the expression of their receptors were analyzed. Luminal A type showed the highest proportion of spiculate masses, and the lowest calcification score, showing significant difference with other 3 subtypes (all P<0.001). The age in the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) overexpression type group was older, the proportions of menopause, the calcification score, and the calcification score with 9-12 were higher, the sizes of the tumor were greater in the HER2 overexpression type group than those in the other 3 molecular subtype groups (age P<0.05, the rest P<0.01). The proportions of regular shape, edge indistinct, and high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma in the triple-negative type group were higher than those in the other 3 molecular subtype groups (all P<0.001). The proportions of non-menopausal patients and spiculate tumors in the estrogen receptor (ER) positive and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive groups were higher than those in both ER and PR negative group (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). The proportions of calcification fraction and high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma were higher, tumor sizes were greater in the HER2 positive group, Ki-67≥20% group than those in the HER2 negative group, Ki-67<20% group, respectively (P<0.001 or P<0.05, respectively). Four molecular subtypes of breast cancer and their receptor expressions are correlated with X-ray and clinical characteristics, which can provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.