Mammographic and ultrasonographic features of triple-negative breast cancer: a comparison with other breast cancer subtypes

Abstract

Being familiar with combined mammographic and ultrasonographic features of TNBC may be useful to avoid false-negative cases of TNBC.

Imaging features of breast cancers on digital breast tomosynthesis according to molecular subtype: association with breast cancer detection

“…Previous studies have reported that TNBC frequently presented as a mass with round shape and non-spiculated margin on DM. 14,15,[25][26][27][28] In contrast, HR+ and HER2+ cancers are known to exhibit typical breast cancer findings of masses with irregular shape and spiculated margins for HR+ cancers and fine pleomorphic or fine linear branching calcifications for HER2+ cancers on DM, similar to our study results using DBT. 14,17,19,25 The strength of our study is that the cancer detectability on DBT was quantified by the numbers of radiologists who correctly detected the cancer, and its association with various clinical, imaging and pathological factors was evaluated.…”

The Values of Combined and Sub-Stratified Imaging Scores with Ultrasonography and Mammography in Breast Cancer Subtypes

“…This can explain why more cancers of luminal A subtype were still identified with lower hierarchy of scoring (benign assessments), but luminal B subtype revealed the most cases with higher hierarchy of scoring ( Table 4 ). Studies discussing correlation of imaging findings (e.g., multifocal lesions, shape, lymph node involvement) with BCS [ 30 – 33 ] reported that high-grade cancers or cancers with poorly prognosis present with more additional suspicious findings on breast imaging [ 30 , 31 , 33 , 34 ].…”

Intrinsic Subtypes of Breast Cancers Initially Assessed as Probably Benign or of Low Suspicion on Ultrasonography Differ According to Tumor Size

“…In this study, the triple‐negative type was more frequently observed in breast cancers larger than 10 mm. One reason for this finding could be that triple‐negative breast cancer shows relatively benign US features compared to the other subtypes . Furthermore, the triple‐negative type had a shorter doubling time than the other subtypes, and this factor could also have affected our results.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that imaging features differ according to the intrinsic subtype . Although the expected malignancy rates are less than 2% and 10% for American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) category 3 and 4a lesions, respectively, triple‐negative breast cancers can also appear benign like on ultrasonography (US), so they can be overlooked as benign . Breast cancer size is an important factor that affects the prognosis, and larger cancers have a worse prognosis than smaller cancers .…”