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Park S, Kim JH, Cha YK, Chung MJ, Woo JH, Park S. Application of Machine Learning Algorithm in Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis from Breast Cancer on Preoperative Chest CT. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2953. [PMID: 37761320 PMCID: PMC10528867 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Axillary lymph node (ALN) status is one of the most critical prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. However, ALN evaluation with contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) has been challenging. Machine learning (ML) is known to show excellent performance in image recognition tasks. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the performance of the ML algorithm for predicting ALN metastasis by combining preoperative CECT features of both ALN and primary tumor. This was a retrospective single-institutional study of a total of 266 patients with breast cancer who underwent preoperative chest CECT. Random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and neural network (NN) algorithms were used. Statistical analysis and recursive feature elimination (RFE) were adopted as feature selection for ML. The best ML-based ALN prediction model for breast cancer was NN with RFE, which achieved an AUROC of 0.76 ± 0.11 and an accuracy of 0.74 ± 0.12. By comparing NN with RFE model performance with and without ALN features from CECT, NN with RFE model with ALN features showed better performance at all performance evaluations, which indicated the effect of ALN features. Through our study, we were able to demonstrate that the ML algorithm could effectively predict the final diagnosis of ALN metastases from CECT images of the primary tumor and ALN. This suggests that ML has the potential to differentiate between benign and malignant ALNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Jong Hee Kim
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.H.K.); (J.H.W.)
| | - Yoon Ki Cha
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.H.K.); (J.H.W.)
| | - Myung Jin Chung
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.H.K.); (J.H.W.)
| | - Jung Han Woo
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.H.K.); (J.H.W.)
| | - Subin Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.P.); (S.P.)
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Milosevic V, Edelmann RJ, Winge I, Strell C, Mezheyeuski A, Knutsvik G, Askeland C, Wik E, Akslen LA, Östman A. Vessel size as a marker of survival in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023:10.1007/s10549-023-06974-4. [PMID: 37222874 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06974-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and is one of the hallmarks of cancer. In this study, we analyzed microvessel density, vessel median size, and perivascular a-SMA expression as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer. METHODS Dual IHC staining was performed where alpha-SMA antibodies were used together with antibodies against the endothelial cell marker CD34. Digital images of stainings were analyzed to extract quantitative data on vessel density, vessel size, and perivascular alpha-SMA status. RESULTS The analyses in the discovery cohort (n = 108) revealed a statistically significant relationship between large vessel size and shorter disease-specific survival (p = 0.007, log-rank test; p = 0.01, HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.3-7.4, Cox-regression analyses). Subset analyses indicated that the survival association of vessel size was strengthened in ER + breast cancer. To consolidate these findings, additional analyses were performed on a validation cohort (n = 267) where an association between large vessel size and reduced survival was also detected in ER + breast cancer (p = 0.016, log-rank test; p = 0.02; HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7, Cox-regression analyses). CONCLUSION Alpha-SMA/CD34 dual-IHC staining revealed breast cancer heterogeneity regarding vessel size, vessel density, and perivascular a-SMA status. Large vessel size was linked to shorter survival in ER + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Milosevic
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Reidunn J Edelmann
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingeborg Winge
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carina Strell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Artur Mezheyeuski
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gøril Knutsvik
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Cecilie Askeland
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Wik
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars A Akslen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Zeng F, Chen L, Lin L, Hu H, Li J, He P, Wang C, Xue Y. Iodine map histogram metrics in early-stage breast cancer: prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis status. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:5358-5370. [PMID: 36465827 PMCID: PMC9703105 DOI: 10.21037/qims-22-253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variations in axillary lymph node (ALN) metastatic potential between different breast cancers lead to microscopical alterations in tumor perfusion heterogeneity. This study investigated the usefulness of histogram metrics from iodine maps in the preoperative diagnosis of metastatic ALNs in patients with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS Between October 2020 and November 2021 enhanced spectral computed tomography (CT) was performed in female patients with breast cancer. Quantitative spectral CT parameters and histogram parameters (mean, median, maximum, minimum, 10th percentiles, 90th percentiles, kurtosis, skewness, energy, range, and variance) from iodine maps were compared between patients with metastatic and nonmetastatic ALNs. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson's chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests. Associations between ALN status and imaging features were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS This study included 113 female patients (62 and 51 in the ALN-negative and ALN-positive groups, respectively). Tumor size, molecular subtypes, and location differed significantly between the ALN-negative and ALN-positive groups (P<0.05). None of the quantitative spectral CT parameters of mass between metastatic and nonmetastatic ALN groups were significantly different (P>0.05). Histogram parameters of iodine maps for breast cancers, including maximum, 10th percentile, range, and energy, were significantly higher in the metastatic ALNs group compared with the nonmetastatic ALNs group (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that tumor location and energy were independent predictors of metastatic ALNs in breast cancers. The combination of independent predictors yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.824 (sensitivity 72.5%; specificity 74.2%). CONCLUSIONS Whole-lesion histogram parameters derived from spectral CT iodine maps may be used as a complementary noninvasive means for the preoperative identification of ALN metastases in patients with early-stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Breast Cancer Institute, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hanglin Hu
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Peng He
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Breast Cancer Institute, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yunjing Xue
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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Kang Y, Li J. The heterogeneous subclones might be induced by cycling hypoxia which was aggravated along with the luminal A tumor growth. Tissue Cell 2022; 77:101844. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Liu Y, Kang Y, Li J, Zhang Y, Jia S, Sun Q, Ma Y, Zhang J, Wang Z, Cao Y, Shen Y. Estrogen Receptor and Claudin-6 Might Play Vital Roles for Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Luminal A Breast Cancer Who Underwent Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:630065. [PMID: 35847894 PMCID: PMC9280129 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.630065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose It is well-known that the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in patients with luminal A cancer (LAC) is lower than those of other subtypes of breast cancer. The phenotype of cancer often alters after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) which may be related to hypoxia, and the latter might induce the drift of the estrogen receptor (ER). The phenotype drift in local advanced LAC after NAC might influence the long-term prognosis. Methods The oxygen concentration of cancer tissues during NAC was recorded and analyzed (n = 43). The expression of ER and claudin-6 was detected in pre- and post-NAC specimens. Results NAC might induce the cycling intracanceral hypoxia, and the pattern was related to NAC response. The median follow-up time was 61 months. Most of the patients (67%) with stable or increased ER and claudin-6 expression exhibited perfect prognosis (DFS = 100%, 61 months). About 20% of patients with decreased claudin-6 would undergo the poor prognosis (DFS = 22.2%, 61 months). The contrasting prognosis (100% vs. 22.2%) had nothing to do with the response of NAC in the above patients. Only 13% patients had stable claudin-6 and decreased ER, whose prognosis might relate to the response of NAC. Conclusion NAC might induce cycling intracanceral hypoxia to promote the phenotype drift in local advanced LAC, and the changes in ER and claudin-6 after NAC would determine the long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushi Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Kang
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianyi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Jianyi Li,
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shi Jia
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Benxi Iron and Steel Co. General Hospital, Benxi, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhenrong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanan Cao
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Yang C, Dong J, Liu Z, Guo Q, Nie Y, Huang D, Qin N, Shu J. Prediction of Metastasis in the Axillary Lymph Nodes of Patients With Breast Cancer: A Radiomics Method Based on Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography. Front Oncol 2021; 11:726240. [PMID: 34616678 PMCID: PMC8488257 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.726240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of traditional techniques to evaluate breast cancer is restricted by the subjective nature of assessment, variation across radiologists, and limited data. Radiomics may predict axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) of breast cancer more accurately. Purpose The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a radiomics model based on ALNs themselves that used contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to detect ALNM of breast cancer. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 402 patients with breast cancer confirmed by pathology from January 2016 to October 2019. Three hundred and ninety-six features were extracted for all patients from axial CECT images of 825 ALNs using Artificial Intelligent Kit software (GE Medical Systems, Version V3.1.0.R). Next, the radiomics model was trained, validated, and tested for predicting ALNM in breast cancer by using a support vector machine algorithm. Finally, the performance of the radiomics model was evaluated in terms of its classification accuracy and the value of the area under the curve (AUC). Results The radiomics model yielded the best classification accuracy of 89.1% and the highest AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91-0.93, p=0.002) for discriminating ALNM in breast cancer in the validation cohorts. In the testing cohorts, the model also demonstrated better performance, with an accuracy of 88.5% and an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93-0.95, p=0.005) for predicting ALNM in breast cancer. Conclusion The radiomics model based on CECT images can be used to predict ALNM in breast cancer and has significant potential in clinical noninvasive diagnosis and in the prediction of breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- The Institute of Systems Science and Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingxi Guo
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yue Nie
- Department of Radiology, Luzhou People's Hospital, Luzhou, China
| | - Deqing Huang
- The Institute of Systems Science and Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Qin
- The Institute of Systems Science and Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Shu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Huang X, Mai J, Huang Y, He L, Chen X, Wu X, Li Y, Yang X, Dong M, Huang J, Zhang F, Liang C, Liu Z. Radiomic Nomogram for Pretreatment Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer: Predictive Value of Staging Contrast-enhanced CT. Clin Breast Cancer 2020; 21:e388-e401. [PMID: 33451965 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer using radiomics based on pretreatment staging contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 215 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the intratumoral and peritumoral regions of CECT images, radiomic features were extracted and selected, respectively, to develop an intratumoral signature and a peritumoral signature with logistic regression in a training dataset (138 patients from November 2015 to October 2017). We also developed a clinical model with the molecular characterization of the tumor. A radiomic nomogram was further constructed by incorporating the intratumoral and peritumoral signatures with molecular characterization. The performance of the nomogram was validated in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility in an independent validation dataset (77 patients from November 2017 to December 2018). Stratified analysis was performed to develop a subtype-specific radiomic signature for each subgroup. RESULTS Compared with the clinical model (area under the curve [AUC], 0.756), the radiomic nomogram (AUC, 0.818) achieved better performance for pCR prediction in the validation dataset with continuous net reclassification improvement of 0.787 and good calibration. Decision curve analysis suggested the nomogram was clinically useful. Subtype-specific radiomic signatures showed improved AUCs (luminal subgroup, 0.936; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive subgroup, 0.825; and triple negative subgroup, 0.858) for pCR prediction. CONCLUSION This study has revealed a predictive value of pretreatment staging-CECT and successfully developed and validated a radiomic nomogram for individualized prediction of pCR to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer, which could assist clinical decision-making and improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Huang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhai Mai
- School of Automation Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqi Huang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan He
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yexing Li
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changhong Liang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zaiyi Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
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Kraby MR, Opdahl S, Russnes HG, Bofin AM. Microvessel density in breast cancer: the impact of field area on prognostic informativeness. J Clin Pathol 2019; 72:304-310. [PMID: 30630872 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Tumour microvessel density (MVD) is assessed by counting vessels in the most vascularised tumour region, the vascular hot spot. Current uncertainty regarding the prognostic role of MVD in breast cancer could, in part, be explained by variations in field area size for MVD assessment. We aimed to identify the field area size that provides the most accurate prognostic information in breast carcinoma. METHODS MVD was assessed in 212 tumours. von Willebrand factor positively stained vessels were counted in 10 consecutive visual fields in vascular hotspots. The 10 visual fields in the original counting sequence (MVD-Consecutive) were sorted from highest to lowest vessel count (MVD-Decreasing), and randomly (MVD-Random). After adding counts from one visual field at a time, mean MVD was calculated for each cumulative field area. The prognostic informativeness of each field area and sorting strategy were compared. RESULTS Median MVD decreased with increasing field size for MVD-Decreasing and MVD-Consecutive. A 0.35 mm2 total field area comprising only the highest vessel counts provided the most accurate prognostic information (MVD-Decreasing, HR for breast cancer death 1.06 per 10 vessels/mm2 increase, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10). MVD-Decreasing gave more accurate prognostic information than MVD-Consecutive and MVD-Random, with decreasing prognostic informativeness with increasing field area. CONCLUSIONS Median MVD and its prognostic informativeness decreased with increasing field area. Assessing MVD in a carefully selected small field area of 0.35 mm2 provides the most accurate prognostic information. This could facilitate the implementation of MVD assessment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ryssdal Kraby
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Signe Opdahl
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hege Giercksky Russnes
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna M Bofin
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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