Role of breast ultrasound, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion weighted imaging in predicting pathologic response of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Assessment of response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in carcinoma breast patients by high-frequency ultrasound

Aim

To assess the response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in carcinoma breast patients by high-frequency ultrasound.

Material and Method

The current single blind, observational study was conducted at rural tertiary healthcare center of Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital from October 2018 to Sept 2020. We incorporated breast cancer patients with TNM stages IIIA and IIIB who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Cyclophosphamide/Adriamycin/5 FU and Paclitaxel respectively followed by standard surgical procedure modified radical mastectomy. Successive ultrasound examination of the breast malignancy and the axilla was done after 21 days of either of any neoadjuvant chemotherapy for 3 cycles. Assessment of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was applied in terms of reduction in the breast tumour volume on ultrasound and percentage of tumour response calculated by Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumours (RECIST). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0.

Results

Higher frequency of patients was invasive ductal breast cancer. In our study, Paclitaxel group showed better response in terms of CR and PR than CAF group. Our study noticed a consistent decrement in tumour volume after every cycle of either CAF or Paclitaxel NACT. Axillary ultrasound was able to predict the response of axillary lymph nodes in terms of increase or decrease in number and morphological changes after 3 cycles of NACT with similarity on final histopathology.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the results of the present study that high-frequency ultrasound is appropriate tool for assessment of response of primary breast malignancy and lymphnode metastasis in the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

A Brief Review on Breast Carcinoma and Deliberation on Current Non Invasive Imaging Techniques for Detection

BACKGROUND

Breast carcinoma is a life threatening disease that accounts for 25.1% of all carcinoma among women worldwide. Early detection of the disease enhances the chance for survival.

DISCUSSION

This paper presents comprehensive report on breast carcinoma disease and its modalities available for detection and diagnosis, as it delves into the screening and detection modalities with special focus placed on the non-invasive techniques and its recent advancement work done, as well as a proposal on a novel method for the application of early breast carcinoma detection.

CONCLUSION

This paper aims to serve as a foundation guidance for the reader to attain bird's eye understanding on breast carcinoma disease and its current non-invasive modalities.