Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced sonography in the assessment of breast tumor angiogenesis: correlation with microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to differentiate perfusion and vascular characteristics between benign and malignant breast lesions by 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced sonography and evaluate their correlation with microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression for further clinical exploration.

METHODS

Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced sonography was performed in 183 patients with breast lesions, and sonographic characteristics were carefully observed for further analysis. The mean microvessel density and VEGF expression were measured by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Pathologic results showed 35 benign and 148 malignant cases. Malignancy and benignity differed significantly in peripheral vessel characteristics (number, distribution, course, degree of dilatation, and penetrating vessels), rim perfusion and coarseness degree, intratumoral perfusion type, and intratumoral vessel dilatation (P< .05) but not the presence of peripheral and intratumoral vessels and intratumoral perfusion (P > .05). The specificity of penetrating vessels was 88.6% for diagnosing malignancy. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of rim perfusion coarseness were 90.2%, 70.4%, and 85.3% respectively. The sensitivity of the intratumoral perfusion type was 77.8%, whereas the specificity of intratumoral vessel dilatation was 88.9%. Microvessel density and VEGF expression were significantly correlated with perfusion and vascular characteristics (P < .05), except the presence of peripheral vessels, rim perfusion, and intratumoral perfusion (P> .05). The presence of intratumoral vessels was related to VEGF (P< .05) but not microvessel density (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced sonographic characteristics were statistically different between benign and malignant breast lesions. Some of them also correlated significantly with microvessel density and VEGF expression and therefore have potential for objective evaluation of tumor angiogenesis.