Vraka et al published in vivo their research regarding the correlation of findings between contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and pathological and prognostic factors in breast cancer.
They retrospectively analyzed 34 breast cancers on which CEUS studies were performed and they looked at qualitative findings and quantitative characteristics.
They found that indistinct tumor margins were characteristic of high-grade malignancy and also in estrogen negative tumors. They also found that perilesional enhancement was seen in tumors positive for Ki-67 expression. Finally, heterogeneous sentinel lymph node enhancement was associated with metastatic infiltration.
Although the authors suggested their study cohort was rather small, their findings correlated well with histopathological and prognostic factors used in the initial diagnosis and therapy of patients with breast cancer, the most common cancer in women.
