Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in Breast Cancer: Correlations with Prognostic Factors

Purpose To correlate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with prognostic factors of breast cancer. Materials and Methods 24 breast cancer patients were evaluated with CEUS. As a quantitative analysis, the peak enhancement (PE), wash-in and wash-out area under curve (WiWoAUC), wash-in rate (WiR) and wash-out rate, rise time, fall time, mean transit time, time to peak, and wash-in perfusion index (WiPI) were measured. As a qualitative analysis, the enhancement patterns were evaluated. Pathologic prognostic factors, including histologic grade, hormonal receptors and Ki-67 proliferative index were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Correlation of quantitative and qualitative parameters of CEUS with prognostic factors was assessed. Results We found that the quantitative CEUS values (PE, WiWoAUC, and WiPI) of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer were higher than those of ER negative counterpart (all p < 0.05). Lower quantitative CEUS values (PE, WiWoAUC, WiR, and WiPI) were found in triple-negative cancer (TNC) than those of non-TNC (all p < 0.05). No CEUS parameter showed significant difference in distinguishing histologic grade (all p > 0.05). Conclusion The CEUS parameters were helpful in predicting prognostic factors, such as ER positivity or triple negativity. However, they could not predict the histologic grade.