Do elastography values correlate with molecular subtype of breast cancer or is morphology the key player?

Objectives We evaluated the association between shear wave elastography (SWE) parameters and the molecular subtypes and other prognostic factors of breast cancer. We also examined the influence of morphological characteristics and other prognostic factors of breast cancers on elastography values. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective observational study on 148 patients with biopsy-proven 152 breast cancers who underwent both B-mode ultrasonography and SWE. The analysis involved calculating the correlation between the five quantitative parameters on SWE (mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and ratio) and the molecular subtyping and other prognostic factors of breast cancer. We analyzed the influence of morphology and other prognostic factors on SWE parameters. Results The mean, minimum, and maximum values in SWE were significantly lower (P<0.05) in cases where the lesion displayed non-mass abnormality, circumscribed margins, posterior acoustic enhancement, and non-ductal histopathology. Hormone positive tumors frequently exhibited spiculated margins and higher (P < 0.05) elastography values, although within this category, circumscribed masses demonstrated lower elastography values compared to the remaining cases. Triple negative breast cancers often displayed circumscribed margins and lower (P < 0.05) elastography values; however, among this subgroup, masses with spiculated margins exhibited higher values compared to the rest. Conclusion Our findings indicate that elastography independently do not correlate with molecular subtypes in breast cancer. Morphological features and histopathological subtypes appear to have strong influence on elastography values.