Value of tissue elastography in the prediction of efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the value of real-time tissue elastography (RTE) in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer. Methods: A total of 60 patients with breast cancer who received NAC in our hospital were evaluated. According to the pathological results, 47 patients were included in the significant response group and 13 patients in the non-significant response group. The maximum diameter and strain ratio (B/A ratio) of lesions before and 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th week after NAC were recorded and compared. The receiver operation characteristics (ROC) curve of the lesion diameter and strain rate ratio (B/A value) were used to predict the value of NAC efficacy. Results: The lesions in the two groups showed a honeycomb-like reduction after NAC. The blue color in the elastic image gradually decreased, and the green color gradually increased. Repeated analyses of variance (ANOVA) found that the maximum diameter and B/A value showed a downward trend within 6 weeks of NAC treatment. The maximum diameter and B/A value in the significant response group were significantly lower than the non-significant response group before and after the NAC. There was an interaction in the maximum diameter and B/A value between the significant response group and the non-significant response group. The above differences were statistically significant (all p <0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of Delta B/A value at 2nd week of NAC was maximal (0.944), and the best diagnostic point was 5.64. The sensitivity was 92.31% and the specificity 87.23%. Conclusions: Delta B/A value at 2nd week of NAC is helpful in predicting the therapeutic effect of NAC in breast cancer.