Multivariate analysis of flow data in breast lesions and validation in a normal clinical setting.

PURPOSE

To improve differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions by Doppler measurements and to validate results in a normal clinical setting in comparison to study conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Doppler measurements of 458 patients were compared in benign and malignant tumors in a prospective study. In a multivariate analysis a diagnostic score was developed using a logistic regression model and stepwise selection. These results were compared with 272 patients who were examined under routine clinical conditions.

RESULTS

Most measurements showed highly significant (p < 0.001) differences between benign and malignant tumors. For each measurement we considered two cut-points to define a diagnostic rule. Despite significant differences, none of the corresponding classification rules exceeded 90 % sensitivity and specificity. Multivariate analysis selected a model including age and the number of arteries and contralateral arteries. Although significant, the last factor barely improved diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, we deleted it from the multivariate model. Based on a simple model including age and the number of tumor arteries, we defined classification rules with high sensitivity and specificity. The RI measurement did not improve the discriminatory power of our score. In the validation study the sensitivity decreased from 89 - 98 % to 58 - 78 % with a specificity of 82 - 92 % vs. 83 - 86 %.

CONCLUSION

Color Doppler can be used for breast cancer differentiation. However, in the clinical routine the sensitivity decreases considerably compared with optimized study conditions.