[Diagnostic and prognostic value of vascular resistance in breast tumors].

AIM AND METHOD

In a prospective study of 113 patients with breast tumours, we measured the vascular resistance index (mean RI) of physiologic tissue and the tumour by using pulsed colour coded Doppler sonography.

RESULTS

The group of carcinomas showed a significantly higher mean RI (0.71 +/- 0.09 SD) compared to the group of benign tumours (0.66 +/- 0.09 SD) (p = 0.003). After dividing the groups according to menopausal status, this difference disappeared. In general the mean RI was higher in postmenopausal women. Only premenopausal women showed a significantly higher mean RI within the carcinoma (0.69 +/- 0.1 SD) compared to physiological tissue (0.65 +/- 0.07 SD, p = 0.02). The mean RI measured in the tumour area from carcinomas correlated with the S-phase fraction: r = -0.53 (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Mean RI reflects vascular resistance but does not allow discrimination between benign or malignant and is significantly influenced by menopausal status. The dynamics of proliferation and low vascular resistance seem to depend on each other. All these facts should be considered when doing Doppler sonographic examination of the breast.