Follow-Up Strategies for Thyroid Nodules with Benign Cytology on Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration: Malignancy Rates of Management Guidelines Using Ultrasound Before and After the Era of the Bethesda System

Background: To evaluate differences in malignancy rates and consequent follow-up strategies for cytologically benign thyroid nodules before and after the introduction of the Bethesda system according to the risk stratification categories of four thyroid management guidelines. Methods: This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board. In this study, 1716 thyroid nodules with initially benign cytologic diagnosis at ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) in 1695 patients were included: 1187 nodules from the pre-Bethesda period and 529 nodules from the post-Bethesda period. Based on US features, the thyroid nodules were categorized into the final assessment categories of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA), the 2016 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Associazione Medici Endocrinologi, the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-TIRADS), and the European Thyroid Association guidelines for Ultrasound Malignancy Risk Stratification systems. Estimated malignancy rates before and after propensity score matching according to follow-up intervals were obtained. Results: Of the 1716 thyroid nodules benign on initial US-FNA, the malignancy rate was 3.2% (38 of 1187) in the pre-Bethesda period and 2.6% (14 of 529) in the post-Bethesda period (p = 0.641). The 2015 ATA high suspicion pattern and the ACR-TIRADS category 5 had high estimated malignancy rates of >5% in the post-Bethesda period (6.52 and 8.57, respectively). Positive findings that indicated US-FNA in the ACR-TIRADS had estimated malignancy rates of 5.26 and 5.67, respectively, while the remaining guidelines had estimated malignancy rates of <5% in both periods. Conclusions: Immediate diagnostic intervention after benign cytologic diagnosis may not be necessary regardless of the cytologic criteria applied, but it can be considered for the highly suspicious categories in the 2015 ATA or the ACR-TIRADS for benign cytologic diagnosis of the Bethesda system.

Diffusional kurtosis imaging for differentiation of additional suspicious lesions on preoperative breast MRI of patients with known breast cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the potential of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) and conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of additional suspicious lesions at preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-three additional suspicious lesions in 45 patients with breast cancer, which were detected on preoperative breast MRI, were examined with a 3-T MR system. DKI and DWI data were obtained using a spin-echo single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence with b-values of 0, 50, 600, 1000, and 3000 s/mm². Histogram parameters (mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th percentiles, kurtosis, skewness and entropy) of ADC from DWI and diffusivity (D), kurtosis (K) from DKI were calculated after postprocessing. Parameters were compared between benign vs. ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) vs. invasive breast lesions and diagnostic performances were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Correlation between the mean values of D and K was analyzed according to lesion type.

RESULTS

Multiple histogram parameters of D (mean, 25th, 50th percentile, 75th percentile, and entropy) differed between benign and invasive breast lesions (all P < 0.005), but none differed between benign vs. DCIS. D-90th percentile differed between DCIS vs. invasive cancer (P = 0.040). K-10th percentile differed between benign vs. DCIS (P = 0.015). ADC-75th percentile differed between benign vs. invasive cancer and ADC-75th percentile, ADC-90th percentile differed between DCIS vs. invasive cancer, respectively (all P < 0.005). ROC curve analysis showed high specificity for discrimination between benign and invasive cancer. D-mean and K-mean showed strong correlation in benign (r_s = -0.813) and invasive lesions (r_s = -0.853), but no significant correlation in DCIS.

CONCLUSION

DKI may aid in the differentiation of additional suspicious lesions at preoperative breast MRI. Both ADC and DKI may have lower potential in differentiating DCIS from benign lesions.

Semimetallic Graphene for Infrared Sensing

Both photothermal and photovoltaic infrared (IR) detectors employ sensing materials that have an optical band gap. Different from these conventional materials, graphene has a conical band structure that imposes zero band gap. In this study, using the semimetallic multilayer graphene, IR detection at room temperature is realized. The relatively high Seebeck coefficient, ranging from 40 to 60 μV/K, compared to that of the metal, and the large optical absorption in the mid-IR region, in the wavelength range of 7-17 μm, enable graphene to detect IR without an absorber, which is essential for most IR detectors because the band gap of the sensing materials is much larger than the energy of IR and the incident IR can be absorbed directly by the sensing material. Thus, the incident IR can be absorbed directly by the sensing material in our device. The developed detector with a SiN membrane shows high responsivity and detectivity, which are 140 V/W and 5 × 10⁸ cm·Hz^1/2/W at 5 Hz, respectively. In addition, the IR sensor shows a response time of 600 μs. In the room-temperature operation of the IR sensor array without cooling, our sensors detect IR emitted from a human body and track the movement. The availability of large-area graphene in current technology opens new applications for metallic two-dimensional materials and a possibility for scale-up.

Comparison of breast tissue markers for tumor localization in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the visibility of breast tissue markers in cases of breast cancer on ultrasonography (US) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and to analyze whether the type of marker affected the choice of localization method after NAC.

METHODS

We included 153 tissue markers inserted within breast cancers that showed pathologically complete response (pCR) after NAC from January 2012 to April 2017. One of three types of markers (a surgical clip, Cormark, or UltraClip) was inserted. Medical records and imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the visibility of the different types of tissue markers on US after NAC, and also compared the imaging modalities used in the preoperative localization. The chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and multiple logistic regression were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 153 tissue markers, 56 were surgical clips, 61 Cormark, and 36 UltraClip. After NAC, residual lesions were not seen on US in 42 cases (27.5%). In multivariate analysis, the visibility of the surgical clips and Cormark markers was better than that of the UltraClip markers (odds ratio [OR], 5.467; 95% confidence interal [CI], 1.717 to 17.410; P=0.004 and OR, 3.045; 95% CI, 1.074 to 8.628; P=0.036, respectively). Among the 131 cases where localization targeting the marker was required, the proportion of US-guided localizations was significantly higher when a surgical clip was used than when an UltraClip marker was used (OR, 5.566; 95% CI, 1.610 to 19.246; P=0.007) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

The type of breast tissue marker affected its visibility on US in cases with pCR after NAC, which in turn affected the localization methodology.

Role of elastography for downgrading BI-RADS category 4a breast lesions according to risk factors

BACKGROUND

Elastography has been introduced as an additional diagnostic tool to ultrasonography (US) which helps clinicians decide whether or not to perform biopsy on US-detected lesions.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of strain elastography in downgrading Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4a breast lesions according to personal risk factors for breast cancer in asymptomatic women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Strain elastography features of a total of 255 asymptomatic category 4a lesions were classified as soft and not soft (intermediate and hard). Malignancy was confirmed by surgery or biopsy, and benignity was confirmed by surgery or biopsy with no change on US for at least six months. Malignancy rates of lesions with soft and not soft elastography were calculated according to the presence of risk factors.

RESULTS

Of 255 lesions, 25 (9.8%) were malignant and 230 (90.2%) were benign. Of 195 lesions in average-risk women, the malignancy rate of lesions with soft elastography was 1.5% (1/68), which was significantly lower than the 14.2% (18/127) of lesions with not soft elastography ( P = 0.004). Of 60 lesions in increased-risk women, the malignancy rate of lesions with soft elastography was 15.0% (3/20), which was not significantly different from the 7.5% (3/40) of lesions with not soft elastography ( P = 0.390).

CONCLUSION

In average-risk women, category 4a lesions with soft elastography could be followed up with US because of a low malignancy rate of 1.5%.

Azimuthal Anisotropy of Heavy-Flavor Decay Electrons in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

Angular correlations between heavy-flavor decay electrons and charged particles at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) are measured in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. The analysis is carried out for the 0%-20% (high) and 60%-100% (low) multiplicity ranges. The jet contribution in the correlation distribution from high-multiplicity events is removed by subtracting the distribution from low-multiplicity events. An azimuthal modulation remains after removing the jet contribution, similar to previous observations in two-particle angular correlation measurements for light-flavor hadrons. A Fourier decomposition of the modulation results in a positive second-order coefficient (v_{2}) for heavy-flavor decay electrons in the transverse momentum interval 1.5<p_{T}<4  GeV/c in high-multiplicity events, with a significance larger than 5σ. The results are compared with those of charged particles at midrapidity and those of inclusive muons at forward rapidity. The v_{2} measurement of open heavy-flavor particles at midrapidity in small collision systems could provide crucial information to help interpret the anisotropies observed in such systems.

Abstract P4-14-04: Time course changes in serum FSH, estradiol, and menstruation restoration in premenopausal patients with breast cancer taking adjuvant tamoxifen after completing chemotherapy: A report from the ASTRRA study

BACKGROUND

Assessment of restoration of ovarian function after chemotherapy is critical with respect to the initiation of different types of endocrine treatment in young high risk breast cancer patients

METHODS

In total, 1289 women who remained premenopausal or resumed premenopausal status after chemotherapy were randomized to receive 5 years of tamoxifen or 5 years of tamoxifen plus 2 years of ovarian suppression. The patients who did not resume menstruation were followed up for 2 years with tamoxifen treatment after finishing chemotherapy. Prospectively collected consecutive post-chemotherapy hormone and menstruation data were available for 705 breast cancer patients who enrolled tamoxifen-only treatment group or did not resume menstruation during follow up. This analysis evaluated the proportion of patients with pre-menopausal FSH levels (&lt;30 mIU/ml), E2 levels (340 pg/ml), and menstruation at any time point during treatment with tamoxifen.

RESULTS

During 5 years of tamoxifen treatment after chemotherapy for premenopausal breast cancer patients, 62% of patients resumed menstruation. Menstruation returned in 92% of patients under 35 years old but only in 31% of patients over 45 years old. Ovarian function, defined by serum FSH and E2 levels, resumed in 94% and 65% of patients, respectively, over 5 years. Most patients achieved ovarian function restoration during the first 2 years after chemotherapy, with 47.1% resuming menstruation and 86.2% and 50.3% achieving pre-menopausal FSH and E2 levels, respectively, in the first 2 years. Clinical factors related to menstruation restoration were younger age (HR = 6.38, 95% CI 1.33-3.47), 6 month hormone profile after chemotherapy (FSH&lt;30: HR=1.67, 95% CI 1.28-2.17; E2 &gt;40: HR=2.96, 95% CI 2.25-3.89), and anthracycline without taxane chemotherapy (HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.25-2.13).

CONCLUSIONS

During 5 years of tamoxifen treatment after chemotherapy, half of patients experienced menstruation restoration, including most very young patients under 35 years. The majority of patients experienced menstruation restoration in the first 2 years of tamoxifen treatment.

Citation Format: Kim HJ, Noh WC, Nam SJ, Park B-w, Lee ES, Im SA, Jung YS, Yoon JH, Kang SS, Park KH, Lee S-J, Jung J, Lee MH, Cho SH, Kim SY, Kim H-A, Han S-H, Han W, Hur MH, Ahn SH. Time course changes in serum FSH, estradiol, and menstruation restoration in premenopausal patients with breast cancer taking adjuvant tamoxifen after completing chemotherapy: A report from the ASTRRA study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-04.

Correction to: Effect of training on ultrasonography (US) BI-RADS features for radiology residents: a multicenter study comparing performances after training

The original version of this article, published on 07 January 2019, unfortunately contained a mistake.

Comparison of Clinical and Pathologic Characteristics of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Detected on Mammography versus Ultrasound Only in Asymptomatic Patients

The main purpose of this study was to retropectively compare the clinical and pathologic characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) detected on mammography and ultrasound (US) in asymptomatic patients. From February 2014 to September 2016, 236 asymptomatic patients with primary pure DCIS and dense breasts were included. The patients were classified into two groups. The mammography group (n = 165) included patients with DCIS detected on mammography, and the US group (n = 71) included patients with DCIS detected on US only. Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analyses were performed with a cutoff age of 50 y and a cutoff tumor size of 20 mm. In 236 patients, younger age, smaller tumor size, low nuclear grade, no comedo necrosis and progesterone receptor positivity were observed more in the US group (p < 0.05). HER2 and Ki67 positivity was observed more frequently in the mammography group (p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in 168 patients with DCIS <20 mm and in patients ≥50 y. In patients <50 y, smaller tumor size, low nuclear grade and no comedo necrosis were observed significantly more often in the US group. DCIS in the US group significantly more often manifested low nuclear grade, no comedo necrosis and hormone receptor positivity, whereas HER2 and Ki67 positivity was observed significantly more often in the mammography group.

Associations between Bethesda categories and tumor characteristics of conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of Bethesda categories III, V, and VI with the clinical and pathological features of thyroid nodules surgically confirmed as conventional papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).

METHODS

We analyzed 1,990 consecutive patients diagnosed with conventional PTC at surgery with preoperative Bethesda categories III, V, or VI. We determined the odds ratio (ORs) of the clinical and pathological variables associated with categories III and V, using category VI as the reference.

RESULTS

Category III and V PTCs had a smaller pathological tumor size (OR, 0.934 and OR, 0.969, respectively) and less frequently had central lymph node metastasis (OR, 0.487 and OR, 0.780, respectively) than category VI PTCs. Category III PTCs less frequently showed suspicious ultrasonographic features (OR, 0.296) than category VI PTCs, and category V PTCs less frequently had gross extrathyroidal extension, with borderline significance (OR, 0.643; P=0.059).

CONCLUSION

Conventional PTCs with a preoperative Bethesda category of III or V may less frequently exhibit poor prognostic factors than those with malignant cytology.

Follow-up interval for probably benign breast lesions on screening ultrasound in women at average risk for breast cancer with dense breasts

Background Women at high risk for breast cancer and women at average risk have different pretest probabilities. Probably benign lesions on screening ultrasound (US) should be assessed and managed differently for these two risk groups. Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of short-term follow-up for probably benign lesions on screening US in women at average risk for breast cancer with dense breasts. Material and Methods A total of 445 women at average risk for breast cancer with probably benign lesions on screening US, dense breasts, and negative or benign mammography results were included. Women were classified into the six-month group (n = 345) or 12-month group (n = 100) according to when the first follow-up was performed (3-9 months or 9-15 months). The cancer detection rate, frequencies of newly developed lesions and progressed lesions, and biopsy rate were compared. Results There were no malignancies from three to 15 months. Three cancers newly developed after 15 months. One was a 3-mm ductal carcinoma in situ and two were 10-mm and 18-mm invasive ductal carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. The frequency of newly developed lesions and progressed lesions and biopsy rate were not significantly different between the six-month and 12-month groups ( P = 0.320, 0.621, and >0.999). Conclusion A follow-up at 12 months can be considered for probably benign lesions on screening US in women at average risk for breast cancer with dense breasts. However, a large series prospective study is needed before clinical application.

A Novel Reciprocal Crosstalk between RNF168 and PARP1 to Regulate DNA Repair Processes

Emerging evidence has suggested that cellular crosstalk between RNF168 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) contributes to the precise control of the DNA damage response (DDR). However, the direct and reciprocal functional link between them remains unclear. In this report, we identified that RNF168 ubiquitinates PARP1 via direct interaction and accelerates PARP1 degradation in the presence of poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) chains, metabolites of activated PARP1. Through mass spectrometric analysis, we revealed that RNF168 ubiquitinated multiple lysine residues on PARP1 via K48-linked ubiquitin chain formation. Consistent with this, micro-irradiation-induced PARP1 accumulation at damaged chromatin was significantly increased by knockdown of endogenous RNF168. In addition, it was confirmed that abnormal changes of HR and HNEJ due to knockdown of RNF168 were restored by overexpression of WT RNF168 but not by reintroduction of mutants lacking E3 ligase activity or PAR binding ability. The comet assay also revealed that both PAR-binding and ubiquitin-conjugation activities are indispensable for the RNF168-mediated DNA repair process. Taken together, our results suggest that RNF168 acts as a counterpart of PARP1 in DDR and regulates the HR/NHEJ repair processes through the ubiquitination of PARP1.

Impact of Pretransplant Infections on Clinical Course in Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Uncontrolled infections are known to be an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation; however, the posttransplant prognosis of recipients treated for pretransplant infection is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze pretransplant infections among liver transplant recipients and to determine their impact on posttransplant clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 357 subjects who had undergone living-donor liver transplantation between January 2008 and May 2014.

RESULTS

Among 357 recipients, 71 patients (19.8%) had 74 episodes of infectious complications before liver transplantation. These complications consisted of pneumonia (n = 13), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (n = 12), catheter-related infection (n = 10), urinary tract infection (n = 12), biliary tract infection (n = 6), and skin and soft-tissue infection (n = 3). Twenty-six patients experienced 29 episodes of bacteremia, and the most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 8), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 4), and Streptococcus species (n = 3). Twenty-one bacteremic episodes (70%) occurred within 1 month before transplantation (n = 4). Recipients with pretransplant infections had significantly more frequent posttransplant infections (71.8% [51 of 71] vs 47.2% [35 of 286]; P = .0001), posttransplant bacteremia (33.8% [24 of 71] vs 20.3% [58 of 286]; P = .015), and longer posttransplant intensive care unit stays (11.2 ± 10.7 days vs 7.3 ± 4.2 days; P = .0004) than those without pretransplant infections. However, episodes of rejection (P = .36), length of hospitalization (P = .10), 28-day mortality (P = .31), and 1-year mortality (P = .61) after transplantation were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretransplant infection had an impact on posttransplant morbidity, although not on rejection and mortality. Alertness for posttransplant infection and proper management (including effective antimicrobial coverage) would improve patient morbidity.

Diagnostic performances and interobserver agreement according to observer experience: a comparison study using three guidelines for management of thyroid nodules

Background The differences regarding categorization of thyroid nodules among different guidelines may affect the diagnostic performances and agreement among observers. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performances and agreements between observers with various degree of experience when applying different guidelines for stratifying thyroid nodules using suspicious ultrasonography (US) features. Material and Methods This retrospective study included 370 thyroid nodules (≥10 mm). Four observers, grouped as experienced and inexperienced, evaluated the US features and made final assessments according to the Kim criteria, Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) by Kwak et al., and the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline. Diagnostic performances and agreements among the two groups were compared. Results The Kim criteria shows higher specificity with significantly lower sensitivity when compared to TIRADS and the 2015 ATA guideline (all P < 0.001), regardless of the level of experience. The experienced group showed significantly higher specificity with the Kim criteria and the 2015 ATA guideline compared to the inexperienced group ( P < 0.001), and the inexperienced group showed significantly higher sensitivity using the Kim criteria ( P = 0.002). The experienced group showed significantly higher agreement than the inexperienced group when using TIRADS while higher agreement was seen when using the 2015 ATA guideline for the inexperienced group. Agreement was not significantly different for the Kim criteria according to observer experience. Conclusion The diagnostic performances and agreements show significant differences in risk stratification of thyroid nodules according to the three guidelines using suspicious US features and the level of experience of the observer.

Application of Various Additional Imaging Techniques for Thyroid Ultrasound: Direct Comparison of Combined Various Elastography and Doppler Parameters to Gray-Scale Ultrasound in Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

This study was conducted to evaluate the role in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules of various elastographic and Doppler parameters when added to gray-scale ultrasonography (US). One-hundred seventy-one thyroid nodules (63 malignant, 108 benign) in 169 patients were included. Elastography (strain and shear wave elastography) and Doppler (power Doppler, superb microvascular imaging and microflow imaging) images of the same thyroid nodule were obtained using a single US machine. The diagnostic performance parameters of gray-scale US with and without elastography and those of Doppler US were calculated and compared. The specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy of gray-scale US were significantly higher than those of US combined with elastographic parameters (all p values < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for gray-scale US was 0.877, significantly higher than that for US combined with elastography patterns, shear wave elastography ratio (all p values < 0.05) and Doppler parameters. Adding additional imaging modalities such as elastography and Doppler does not improve the diagnostic performance of gray-scale US in differentiating thyroid nodules.

Can Biannual Ultrasound Surveillance Detect Smaller Second Cancers or Detect Cancers Earlier in Patients with Breast Cancer History?

The aim of the work described here was to evaluate whether surveillance with biannual ultrasound (US) plus annual mammography (biannual group) for women with a history of breast cancer surgery results in earlier detection or in the detection of smaller second cancers than annual US plus mammography (annual group). Additionally, we compared the prevalence of distant metastases or palpable second cancers between the biannual and annual groups. The institutional review board of our institution approved this retrospective study, and patient consent was waived. Between January 2011 and December 2012, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging follow-up of 3023 patients with mammographic and US surveillance after breast cancer surgery to assess second cancers detected by local surveillance (locoregional recurrence, contralateral breast cancer or distant metastasis). The biannual and annual groups were divided with respect to the mean surveillance interval and compared with respect to clinicopathologic findings. Multivariable logistic regression with propensity score methods was used to examine the effect of the type of surveillance on outcomes. As for the size of the second cancer, no difference was seen between the biannual and annual groups (12.8 ± 6.6 mm vs. 14.1 ± 7.1 mm, p = 0.461); neither was there a significant difference between the groups in the presence of symptoms at the time of diagnosis of the second cancer (17.0% [8/47] vs. 10% [2/20], p = 0.711). Regardless of detection by local surveillance, the prevalence of distant metastases did not differ between the two groups (1.1% [27/2370] vs. 1.0% [7/653], p = 0.88) on univariate or multivariate analysis. The results of our retrospective study indicate that second cancers detected by biannual US surveillance in patients with a history of breast cancer surgery are not smaller and do not occur earlier than those detected by annual US surveillance. However, a randomized controlled study is required to verify these results before they can be generalized to clinical practice.

Primary Imaging Test and Appropriate Biopsy Methods for Thyroid Nodules: Guidelines by Korean Society of Radiology and National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency

The Korean Society of Radiology and the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency developed guidelines for primary imaging tests and appropriate biopsy methods for thyroid nodules. These guidelines were developed using an adaptation process by collaboration between the development committee and the working group. The development committee, composed of research methodology experts, established the overall plan and provided support about methodological strategies. The working group, composed of radiologist experts in thyroid imaging, wrote the proposals. The guidelines recommend neck ultrasound (US) as a first-line imaging modality for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules in patients with suspected nodules, and US-guided fine-needle aspiration as a primary method for histologic examination of thyroid nodules.

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

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancers initially assessed as American College of Radiology Breast Imaging and Reporting System (BI-RADS) category 3 or 4a differ according to tumor size.

METHODS

A total of 444 breast cancers in 439 patients initially assessed as BI-RADS 3 or 4a through ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy were included. Tumors were classified by the size criterion of 10 mm or smaller or larger than 10 mm and categorized as the luminal type (estrogen receptor [ER] positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR] positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] negative), HER2 type (HER2 positive regardless of ER or PR status), or triple-negative type (ER negative, PR negative, and HER2 negative). The relationships between tumor size and breast cancer intrinsic subtypes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 247 (55.6%) cancers were 10 mm or smaller, and 197 (44.4%) were larger than 10 mm. The luminal type was more frequently present in tumors of 10 mm or smaller (185 of 247 [74.9%]) than those larger than 10 mm (112 of 197 [56.9%]; P < .001). No significant difference was noted in the frequency of the HER2 type in tumors of 10 and mm smaller and those larger than 10 mm (27 of 247 [10.9%] versus 36 of 197 [18.3%]; P = .084). The triple-negative type was more frequently present in tumors larger than 10 mm than those of 10 mm or smaller (49 of /197 [24.9%] versus 35 of 247 [14.2%]; P = .012).

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancers assessed as BI-RADS category 3 or 4a had differing intrinsic subtypes according to tumor size, as the luminal type was more frequently present in tumors of 10 mm or smaller than those larger than 10 mm, whereas the triple-negative type was more frequently present in tumors larger than 10 mm.

Role of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in evaluating the association between contralateral parenchymal enhancement and survival outcome in ER-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative invasive breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI has been associated with breast cancer risk, both based on qualitative and quantitative assessments.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether BPE of the contralateral breast on preoperative DCE-MRI is associated with therapy outcome in ER-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative invasive breast cancer.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

POPULATION

In all, 289 patients with unilateral ER-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer larger than 5 mm.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

3T, T₁ -weighted DCE sequence.

ASSESSMENT

BPE of the contralateral breast was assessed qualitatively by two dedicated radiologists and quantitatively (using region-of-interest and automatic breast segmentation).

STATISTICAL TESTS

Cox regression analysis was used to determine associations with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DFS). Interobserver variability for parenchymal enhancement was assessed using kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 75.8 months. Multivariate analysis showed receipt of total mastectomy (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.497) and high Ki-67 expression level (HR: 5.956) were independent factors associated with worse RFS (P < 0.05). Only a high Ki-67 expression level was associated with worse DFS (HR: 3.571, P = 0.045). BPE assessments were not associated with outcome (RFS [qualitative BPE: P = 0.75, 0.92 for readers 1 and 2; quantitative BPE: P = 0.38-0.99], DFS, [qualitative BPE: P = 0.41, 0.16 for readers 1 and 2; quantitative BPE: P = 0.68-0.99]). For interobserver variability, there was good agreement between qualitative (κ = 0.700) and good to perfect agreement for most quantitative parameters of BPE.

DATA CONCLUSION

Contralateral BPE showed no association with survival outcome in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative invasive breast cancer. A high Ki-67 expression level was associated with both worse recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1678-1689.

Value of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in diagnosing axillary lymph node recurrence after breast cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

This article aims to assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) in diagnosing axillary lymph node (ALN) recurrence in patients with a history of breast cancer.

METHODS

From January 2005 to June 2015, 231 US-FNA examinations performed for suspicious axillary lesions in 218 patients with a history of breast cancer were included. Diagnostic performance of US-FNA for ALN recurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 231 US-FNA examinations, 172 (74.5%) obtained negative and 59 (25.5%) obtained positive cytological results. All US-FNA-negative axillary lesions were considered imaging-cytology concordant and underwent follow-up, with one false-negative result (false negative rate, 1.6% [1/60]). The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of US-FNA for diagnosing ALN recurrence/metastasis per examination were 98.3% (59/60), 100% (171/171), 100% (59/59) and 99.4% (171/172). When excluding nine patients with newly developed contralateral breast cancer, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of US-FNA for diagnosing ALN recurrence was 98.1% (51/52),100% (170/170),100% (51/51) and 99.4% (170/171).

CONCLUSIONS

US-FNA is a reliable method for diagnosing axillary recurrence in patients with a history of breast cancer.

Qualitative and Semiquantitative Elastography for the Diagnosis of Intermediate Suspicious Thyroid Nodules Based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate qualitative and semiquantitative elastography for the diagnosis of intermediate suspicious thyroid nodules based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines.

METHODS

Through a retrospective search of our institutional database, 746 solid thyroid nodules found on grayscale ultrasonography, strain elastography, and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration between June and November 2009 were collected. Among them, 80 nodules from 80 patients with an intermediate suspicion of malignancy based on the 2015 ATA guidelines that were 10 mm or larger were recruited as the final study nodules. Elastographic findings were categorized according to the criteria of Rago et al (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:2917-2922) and Asteria et al (Thyroid 2008; 18:523-531), and strain ratio values were calculated and recorded. The independent 2-sample t test and χ² test (or Fisher exact test) were used to evaluate differences in clinical parameters between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. All variables were compared by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 80 nodules, 6 (7.5%) were malignant, and 74 (92.5%) were benign. No significant differences were observed in age, sex, nodule size, elasticity score, and strain ratio between benign and malignant nodules. No variables significantly predicted thyroid malignancy on the univariate analysis. On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, there were no independent variables associated with thyroid malignancy, including the elasticity score and strain ratio (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Elastographic analysis using the elasticity score and strain ratio has limited ability to characterize the benignity or malignancy of thyroid nodules with an intermediate suspicion of malignancy based on the 2015 ATA guidelines.