2015 Volume 42 Issue 6 Pages 687-694
Purpose: To quantitatively analyze ultrasound elastographic findings and histopathological images of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and determine the predictors of a low elastography score. Subjects and Methods: Eighteen patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DCIS after surgery performed between January 2012 and August 2013 were included. We calculated cancer cell density and lumen density from histopathological images and examined their association with elastography scores. Patients were classified into low and high score groups according to an elastography score of 1 to 3 and 4 to 5, respectively, and into mass and non-mass abnormality groups according to lesion type. Differences in cancer cell density were determined between groups. Results and Discussion: The most common score was 2, which was seen in nine patients. The elastography scores were positively correlated only with cancer cell density. The low score group had a larger number of patients (n=13) and a significantly lower cancer cell density compared with the high score group, while the non-mass abnormality group had a larger number of patients (n=11) and a significantly lower cancer cell density compared with the mass group. In addition, the pathohistological subtype of non-mass abnormalities was comedo type in four patients, papillary type in three patients, low papillary type in two patients, and solid type in two patients. Conclusion: A low cancer cell density may be a predictor of a low elastography score in DCIS patients.
