The relationship of mammographic features and molecular breast cancer subtypes

Abstract

This is a retrospective study which aims to describe invasive breast cancer images on mammograms and analyse the relationship between mammographic features and molecular breast cancer subtypes. 364 patients who met the inclusive criteria with 367 breast cancer lesions were admitted to the K hospital from January 2022 to August 2022. We found the most prevalent molecular breast cancer subtype was luminal B, the median age was 52 years old (IQR: 42 - 61), and the median tumor size was 23mm (IQR: 18-30). Overall, the most frequent mammography finding was a mass without calcification (63.7%). Irregular masses (86.6%) with indistinct margins (47.8%) were the most common mass characteristics. Within calcification findings, the fine pleomorphic morphology and grouped distribution were the most common characteristics. The irregular shape and spiculated margin of masses were related to a high rate in luminal subtypes. These characteristics increased the chance of luminal subtypes with OR = 5.7 (95%CI: 2.90 - 11.21) and OR = 3.76 (95%CI: 1.84 - 7.66), respectively. Oval/round shape and circumscribed/obscured margins of masses were related to high in triple-negative subtypes, p < 0.001. These characteristics predicted a higher chance of triple-negative (OR = 8.41 & OR = 9.95, respectively). Mass with calcification and calcification only were more common in the HER2-enriched subtype than other subtypes, p = 0.002. The fine linear or branching calcification and segmental distribution were more common in the HER2-enriched subtype than in others (25.9% vs 10.3%, respectively). The gross features with calcification inside increased the chance of HER2-enriched subtype (OR = 3.88 in calcification only and OR = 1.59 in mass with calcification, in gross feature).