Prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis by shear wave elastography and conventional ultrasound features of breast cancer and model establishment

Objective To explore the predictive value of shear wave elastography (SWE) quantitative parameters and conventional ultrasound features of primary lesions for axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer, and to construct a preoperative nomogram model combined with axillary ultrasound.

Methods A total of 295 breast cancer patients who underwent preoperative SWE and conventional ultrasound were selected. Ultrasonic features of primary lesions and axillary lymph nodes were retrospectively analyzed, and independent risk factors associated with ALNM were screened, based on which a nomogram model was constructed and the predictive value was assessed.

Results Breast tumor uneven margin, E_max and positive for ALNM by ultrasound diagnosis were independent risk factors for predicting ALNM. On this basis, the area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram model was 0.842 (95%CI, 0.786 to 0.888), and the prediction efficiency was significantly better than that of a single index (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The quantitative parameters of SWE and conventional ultrasound characteristics of primary lesions of breast cancer can be used to predict ALNM, and the nomogram model constructed in combination with axillary ultrasound has a good value in predicting ALNM.