Study on the correlation between HER-2 expression status and multimode ultrasonic characteristics in ER-negative breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and the characteristics of conventional ultrasound, shear wave elastography(SWE) and contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) images in breast cancer patients with negative expression of estrogen receptor (ER). Methods In this study, 117 patients with 117 lesions were selected from the Second Hospital of Harbin Medical University Hospital, who had definite pathology and ER negative expression, including 62 patients with positive HER-2 (group Ⅰ) and 55 patients with negative HER-2(group Ⅱ). Conventional ultrasound images and SWE were collected preoperatively, and CEUS images were collected in 62 patients to analyze the correlation between the expression of HER-2 and the ultrasonic characteristics of the three ultrasonic modes. Results ①Conventional ultrasound: the groupⅠwas characterized by irregular shape, unclear boundary, mainly with spicule edges, microcalcification, axillary lymph node metastasis and higher histological grading. The groupⅡhad no such characteristics (all P<0.05). ②SWE: the Emax, Emean and Eratio of group Ⅰ were higher than group Ⅱ(all P<0.05). ③CEUS: the peak time of group Ⅰ was earlier than group Ⅱ, the slope of ascending branch and the area under the curve were larger, and the characteristics of perforating vessels were easier to be observed, while perfusion defects were more likely to occur in groupⅡ(all P<0.05). Conclusions In the case of ER negative expression, there are obvious differences in multimodal sonograms of different breast cancer HER-2 expression conditions. The analysis of the above sonograms will play an important guiding role in the selection of clinical treatment plans. Key words: Ultrasonography; Breast neoplasms; Shear wave elastography; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2