Application of Shear Wave Elastography Combined with Tumor Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Breast Masses.

PURPOSE: To explore the value of combined quantitative shear wave elastography (SWE) parameters and breast cancer molecular markers for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast masses.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 225 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound, SWE examinations, immunohistochemical analysis, and measurement of serum tumor markers CA15-3 and CA125. Based on the pathological diagnoses, the patients were categorized into malignant (n=107) and benign (n=118) mass groups.

RESULTS

The malignant mass group exhibited significantly higher values of quantitative SWE parameters, including maximum elasticity (E max), Shell1 E max, Shell2 E max, and Shell3 E max, than the benign mass group (P<0.05). Hemodynamic indicators, including the maximum blood flow velocity, resistance index, and pulsatility index, were also markedly elevated in the malignant mass group (P<0.05). Regarding the SWE imaging classification, the malignant mass group primarily corresponded to Types IV and V, whereas the benign mass group was mainly classified as Types I and II (P<0.001). Serum tumor markers CA15-3 and CA125 were significantly elevated in the malignant mass group. The combined detection of quantitative SWE parameters, CA15-3, and CA125 demonstrated higher AUC values than single detection, suggesting that the integration of SWE parameters with CA15-3 and CA125 significantly enhances diagnostic efficacy in differentiating benign from malignant breast masses (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The combined detection of quantitative SWE parameters and breast cancer molecular markers significantly enhances the accuracy of differentiating benign from malignant breast masses.