Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the value of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) for evaluating the prognosis of breast cancer. Methods  ABVS images of 81 cases of breast cancer were analyzed. Morphological manifestations such as the lesion margin, growth orientation, posterior echo, calcification status, and retraction phenomenon were observed and the correlation with prognostic factors of breast cancer such as pathological grade, lymph node, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (c-erbB-2) was analyzed. Results  Among 81 cases, 42 (51.85%) had spiculate margin, and only 5 of them (11.90%) were found on the coronal plan. For patients with spiculate margin, the ER/PR positive rate was high (P<0.001) and c-erbB-2 positive rate was low (P<0.001). Among 81 cases, 25 (30.86%) had posterior enhancement and most of them were breast cancer patients with negative ER/PR and positive c-erbB-2 (P<0.001). Among 81 cases, 43 (53.09%) had microcalcification and was relevant to positive expression of c-erbB-2 (P=0.018). Among 81 cases, 37 (45.68%) had retraction phenomenon and most of them were breast cancer patients with low grades (grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ)(P=0.023), positive ER/PR, and negative c-erbB-2 (P<0.001). Conclusion  ABVS can reflect prognostic factors of breast cancer based on morphological features, especially retraction phenomenon, and can efficiently evaluate the prognosis of breast cancer.

Key words: automated breast volume scanner, breast cancer, retraction phenomenon, prognostic factors