Application of Shear Wave Elastography Combined with Tumor Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Breast Masses.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the value of combined quantitative shear wave elastography (SWE) parameters and breast cancer molecular markers for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast masses.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 225 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound, SWE examinations, immunohistochemical analysis, and measurement of serum tumor markers CA15-3 and CA125. Based on the pathological diagnoses, the patients were categorized into malignant (n=107) and benign (n=118) mass groups.

Results: The malignant mass group exhibited significantly higher values of quantitative SWE parameters, including maximum elasticity (E max), Shell1 E max, Shell2 E max, and Shell3 E max, than the benign mass group (P<0.05). Hemodynamic indicators, including the maximum blood flow velocity, resistance index, and pulsatility index, were also markedly elevated in the malignant mass group (P<0.05). Regarding the SWE imaging classification, the malignant mass group primarily corresponded to Types IV and V, whereas the benign mass group was mainly classified as Types I and II (P<0.001). Serum tumor markers CA15-3 and CA125 were significantly elevated in the malignant mass group. The combined detection of quantitative SWE parameters, CA15-3, and CA125 demonstrated higher AUC values than single detection, suggesting that the integration of SWE parameters with CA15-3 and CA125 significantly enhances diagnostic efficacy in differentiating benign from malignant breast masses (P<0.01).

Conclusion: The combined detection of quantitative SWE parameters and breast cancer molecular markers significantly enhances the accuracy of differentiating benign from malignant breast masses.