Diagnostic value of various vascular features of breast cancer by age

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tumor angiogenesis plays a critical role in the growth and metastasis of breast cancer and evaluating the added value of vascular features to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) in differentiating malignant nodules from benign ones is essential. Micro-flow Imaging (MFI) is a promising noninvasive diagnostic method for the microvessels in breast tumors, but its precise value is still uncertain. OBJECTIVES: Understanding whether malignant tumor vascular characteristics by MFI are associated with breast cancer and whether the diagnostic efficiency varies by age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used B-mode Ultrasound and MFI to detect the characteristics of 153 solid breast lesions. Two investigators reviewed the vessels images by MFI and assessed the vascular features, respectively. Evaluating diagnostic efficacy of different vascular features combined with BI-RADS in different age groups. RESULTS: The mean size of lesions is 19.4 (range 18–78) mm. There were 94 breast masses in benign, while 59 breast masses in malignant by pathology. III Adler classification, penetrating vessels, and complex flow pattern showed a positive association with a high risk of malignant breast lesions (p <  0.05). BI-RADS combined with vessel characteristics show better improvement of diagnostic performance of breast lesions in the elderly group than in the young group. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular features by MFI contribute to malignant breast masses’ diagnosis, and the association might be modified by age.