Ultrasonography.  2016 Oct;35(4):281-288. 10.14366/usg.16030.

Molecular subtypes and imaging phenotypes of breast cancer

• Cho N

• KMID: 2354356
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14366/usg.16030

Abstract

During the last 15 years, traditional breast cancer classifications based on histopathology have been reorganized into the luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and basal-like subtypes based on gene expression profiling. Each molecular subtype has shown varying risk for progression, response to treatment, and survival outcomes. Research linking the imaging phenotype with the molecular subtype has revealed that non-calcified, relatively circumscribed masses with posterior acoustic enhancement are common in the basal-like subtype, spiculated masses with a poorly circumscribed margin and posterior acoustic shadowing in the luminal subtype, and pleomorphic calcifications in the HER2-enriched subtype. Understanding the clinical implications of the molecular subtypes and imaging phenotypes could help radiologists guide precision medicine, tailoring medical treatment to patients and their tumor characteristics.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Gene expression profiling; Ultrasonography; Diagnosis

MeSH Terms

Acoustics
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Classification
Diagnosis
Gene Expression Profiling
Humans
Phenobarbital
Phenotype*
Precision Medicine
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Shadowing (Histology)
Ultrasonography
Phenobarbital
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor