Breast Elastography of Invasive Lobular Carcinomas

The study attempted to investigate the contribution of elastography in the diagnosis and assessment of the extent of Invasive Lobular Carcinomas (ILCs) compared to Invasive Carcinomas of no Special Type (ICNST).

The current retrospective study included 85 female patients (mean age: 55 years) with invasive breast carcinoma.  Ultrasound B mode and strain elastography were performed for each mass. Qualitative criteria (elasticity score) and quantitative criteria (strain and length ratio) of elastography were studied. Histopathological examination was considered the gold standard for final diagnosis.

Of 85 invasive carcinomas, there were 30 ILCs and 55 ICNST. The strain ratio of ILCs was higher than ICNST (P<0.05). The mean length ratio of ILCs was significantly higher than ICNST (P<0.0001). The lesions were mostly scored 5 in both histological types without significant difference (P=0.13).

Invasive lobular carcinoma poses a problem in detecting and extending lesions to conventional imaging. Breast ultrasound elastography can help diagnose and evaluation of the extent of invasive lobular carcinoma.