Ultrasound Features of Breast Cancer for Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical value of ultrasound (US) features of breast lesions for predicting the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 425 patients with breast cancer were recruited, and their preoperative US features and postoperative pathologic results were collected. The association of these US features of breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis was determined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 425 patients, 200 (47.1%) had axillary lymph node metastasis, and 225 (52.9%) did not. The parameters of tumor shape, color Doppler flow imaging grades, histologic grade, and E-cadherin level were significantly and independently associated with axillary lymph node metastasis (P < .05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Axillary lymph node metastasis was prone to happen in patients with US features of an irregular tumor shape and higher color Doppler flow imaging grades. Ultrasound imaging provides a promising tool for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer.