Ultrasonic features of triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the ultrasonic features of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods Ultrasonographic findings of 299 patients with pathologically confirmed breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into TNBC group (46 cases) and non-triple-negative breast cancer(NTNBC) group (253 cases) according to the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) that were determined with immunohistochemical staining. Each patient was ultrasonically analyzed. Results The ultrasonic images showed that TNBC group had a greater proportion in the mass with regular shape, clear boundary, or microlobulated relative to NTNBC group (P<0.01). Calcification was significantly less in TNBC than NTNBC (P<0.01). Eight (17.3%)of 46 Cases of TNBC had BI-RADS sonographic features that favored the diagnosis of a benign condition. Conclusions Some of sonographic criteria for TNBC are more likely to be associated with benign lesions, ultrasound-guided biopsy should be recommended for such lesions. Key words: Breast neoplasms/US; Ultrasonography, doppler, color