The correlation between mammographic features microcalcifications in DCIS and molecular prognostic factors

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death in women. An increased incidence of DCIS has been observed with the widespread use of screening mammography. Prognostic factors include age, axillary nodal status, histopathology, grade, steroid receptors and oncogene amplification especially HER2. Steroid receptor status and HER2 amplification play an important role in the determination of the relevant theraphy. The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between mammographic features of microcalcifications and histopathological and immunohistochemical prognostic factors. The study included 66 women who were diagnosed with pure DCIS from 2007 to 2013. The status of ER, PR and HER2 was determined using immunohistochemical analysis. The morphology and distribution of microcalcifications were classified according to BI-RADS lexicon. Clinical, histopathological and receptor status analyzed statistically. Mammographic features correlated with receptor status and histopathological prognostic factors. Fine linear branching microcalcifications with linear or segmental distribution which should be assigned BI-RADS category 5 were more frequently found with comedonecrosis and larger tumour size.