Shear Wave Elastography in Breast Cancer: Unveiling Correlations With Histopathological Grades and Subtypes

George Asafu Adjaye Frimpong; Evans Aboagye; Osei Owusu-Afriyie; Ernest O Bonsu; Fairuuj Mahama; Emmanuel Asante; Barima G Asafu Adjaye Frimpong

doi:10.7759/cureus.63759

Shear Wave Elastography in Breast Cancer: Unveiling Correlations With Histopathological Grades and Subtypes

Cureus. 2024 Jul 3;16(7):e63759. doi: 10.7759/cureus.63759. eCollection 2024 Jul.

Authors

George Asafu Adjaye Frimpong^{1

2}, Evans Aboagye³, Osei Owusu-Afriyie⁴, Ernest O Bonsu⁵, Fairuuj Mahama², Emmanuel Asante³, Barima G Asafu Adjaye Frimpong⁶

Affiliations

¹ Radiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GHA.
² Radiology, Spectra Health Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Kumasi, GHA.
³ Research and Development, Spectra Health Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Kumasi, GHA.
⁴ Pathology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GHA.
⁵ National Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, GHA.
⁶ Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GHA.

Abstract

Objective This study explores the correlation between shear wave elastography (SWE) features and histopathological grades and subtypes in breast cancer, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment strategies. Methods The study retrospectively analyzed 59 consecutive women with breast cancer who underwent breast ultrasound with SWE. SWE parameters and histopathologic information, including histological type and grade, were recorded. Qualitative and quantitative SWE findings were analyzed, and B-mode findings were evaluated. Sociodemographic and clinical factors and B-mode findings were assessed as predictors of elastography stiffness using logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 59 participants diagnosed with breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type (IDC-NST) was predominantly found in 50 (84.7%) cases, followed by invasive medullary carcinoma in 5 (8.5%) cases. The majority of participants belonged to the 50-59 age group, comprising 19 (32.2%) patients. Histopathological grading revealed grade II tumors in 27 (45.8%) cases and grade III tumors in 24 (40.7%) cases. Notably, grade III tumors exhibited higher tissue stiffness compared to grade II tumors. Out of 36 stiff lesions, 30 (83.3%%) were IDC-NST while 3 (8.3%) were invasive medullary carcinoma. A significant association was observed between higher histopathological grade (grade III) and increased tissue stiffness (p < 0.05). Furthermore, among participants with stiff lesions, 21 (58.3%) exhibited color defects while 4 (23.5%) cases with soft lesions also displayed color defects Conclusion The correlation between SWE findings and histopathological grades and subtypes underscores the potential of SWE as a valuable tool for predicting tumor aggressiveness and characterizing specific subtypes. SWE enhances diagnostic accuracy and complements traditional imaging modalities, holding promise for personalized treatment strategies.

Keywords: b-mode ultrasound; breast cancer; grade; histopathology; shear wave elastography.