Predictive value of ABVS and VTIQ parameters for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

[BACKGROUND] This study aims to investigate the predicting value of Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) combined with Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification (VTIQ) for axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis burden in patients with breast cancer.

[METHODS] This study retrospectively included patients with breast cancer at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between June 2021 and August 2023. Patients were categorized into the low metastasis burden group (≤2 metastatic lymph nodes) and the high metastasis burden group (≥3 metastatic lymph nodes) based on ALN metastasis status. Image parameters were measured using two-dimensional ultrasound, ABVS, and VTIQ.

[RESULTS] A total of 80 patients were included, with a mean age of 55.61 ± 11.10 years, comprising 43 individuals in the LMB group and 37 in the HMB group. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a maximum diameter (OR = 7.386, 95% CI: 1.140-47.845, P = 0.036), the lotus root sign (OR = 5.292, 95% CI: 1.073-26.107, P = 0.041), and mean shear wave velocity (OR = 1.956, 95% CI: 1.263-3.029, P = 0.003) were independent risk factors for high lymph node metastatic burden in the breast cancer patients. The AUC for the parameters of ABVS and VTIQ in predicting lymph node metastatic burden was 0.872 (95%CI: 0.754-0.950, P < 0.001), with the corresponding sensitivity and specificity of 73.0% and 90.7%, respectively.

[CONCLUSION] The combined utilization of parameters from ABVS and VTIQ might have promising predictive value for high ALN tumor burden in breast cancer patients. However, large-scale, multi-center, prospective studies are needed to further confirm our findings.