Comparison of shear wave elastography values and magnetic resonance imaging findings in breast cancer and evaluation of their relationship with breast cancer subtypes

The aim of this study is to compare the elasticity values obtained by shear-wave elastography (SWE) with the findings of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast cancer and to evaluate their association with different breast cancer subtypes. Between March 2023 and March 2024, a total of 140 female patients (147 lesions) diagnosed with breast cancer histopathologically were included in the study conducted at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital. B-mode ultrasonography and SWE measurements were performed prior to biopsy, while MRI was employed for preoperative staging. The lesions were classified into histological and molecular subtypes. The patients' ages, morphological and kinetic MRI parameters, ADC values and elasticity measurements (Emean and Emax) were assessed. The average Emean value of the lesions was measured at 106.7 kPa, while the average Emax value was found to be 161.8 kPa. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between tumor size and volume and the elasticity values (p < 0.05). The elasticity values of lesions exhibiting Type 2 enhancement kinetics were found to be higher compared to those with Type 3 enhancement kinetics (p: 0.029 ve p: 0.044). Lesions exhibiting heterogeneous- peripheral enhancement demonstrated significantly higher elasticity values (p < 0.05). Compared to cases without peritumoral edema, elasticity values were found to be significantly higher in cases with peritumoral edema (p: 0.05, p: 0.009). Elasticity values were found to be significantly higher in spiculated- irregularly shaped masses (p: 0.004, p: 0.033). Emean values were statistically significantly higher in T2 and T3 stage tumors compared to T1 stage tumors (p: 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference found between the molecular and histological subtypes of breast cancer and elasticity (p > 0.05). The elasticity values obtained from shear-wave elastography (SWE) are associated with the morphological and kinetic characteristics of breast cancer; however, no statistically significant difference has been found between elasticity and breast cancer subtypes.