Complex ultrasound with strain elastography in the diagnosis of local recurrence of breast cancer

Aim. To evaluate the capacities of complex ultrasound with the use of gray scale and color coded Doppler and strain elastography in the diagnosis of local recurrence of breast cancer and to determine the position of each method in the diagnostic algorithm.

Methods. Complex ultrasound of 76 female patients with suspected local recurrence of breast cancer was performed. The study included 83 masses. Ultrasound of preserved part of the breast, postoperative scar and soft tissues of the patient’s chest was performed with the use of high frequency linear 5-12 MHz transducer of Accuvix XG scanner (Samsung Medison, South Korea). The mass was considered malignant if it had 3 and more suspicious ultrasound features in gray scale regimen or 2 and more suspicious features in gray scale regimen combined with 3 or more color stains in color coded Doppler or with elastograms types 4 and 5. According to morphologic results the masses were divided into 2 groups. The first group included 48 masses in which according to cytologic and histologic studies recurrence of breast cancer was found, the second group included 35 masses in which tumor growth was not revealed morphologically.

Results. Complex ultrasound was accurate in 90.4%. Sensitivity and specificity were 89.6 and 91.4%, respectively.

Conclusion. Complex ultrasound with the use of strain elastography is a highly informative method that in most cases allows diagnosing local recurrence of breast cancer.