J Korean Soc Radiol.  2009 Dec;61(6):413-423. 10.3348/jksr.2009.61.6.413.

Imaging Features for the Prediction of Extensive Intraductal Components in Invasive Cancer in Addition to the Histopathologic Grades

• Han HY
• Kim KW
• Park YS
• Cho YJ
• Hwang CM
• Kim HJ
• Sul HJ
• Yoon DS
• Kim GS

• KMID: 1471273
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2009.61.6.413

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of US and mammography in detecting extensive intraductal component (EIC) in invasive cancer and correlating the results with the histopathologic grade.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the mammographic and sonographic features of 125 invasive breast cancers, classified as "invasive cancer with EIC" (n=57) and "invasive cancer without EIC" (n=68). The mammographic features are classified as microcalcifications only, microcalcifications beyond the soft tissue density, soft tissue density without microcalcification, and sonographic features classified according to ten sonographic suspicious features for malignancy by Stavros. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy to correlate them with histologic grade.
RESULTS
Microcalcifications on mammography, calcification, duct extension, and a branching pattern on sonography were found to be statistically significant predictors of EIC. Also, a thick echogenic halo, angular margin, microlobuation, taller than wide feature on sonography, and soft tissue shadow without microcalcification on mammography showed a decreased risk of EIC. In addition, the presence of a branching pattern is an indicator of high histologic grade (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Microcalcification on mammography, calcification, duct extension, and branching pattern on sonography are an indicator of the presence of EIC in invasive cancer. In addition, when a branching pattern is present, the tumor tends to have a high histologic grade.

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Mammography
Retrospective Studies