Correlation between ultrasonographic signs and axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer by univariate and multivariate analysis

Objective To explore the correlation between ultrasonographic signs of breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis.Methods The sonographic features of 146 patients with 151 breast malignant noplasms(66 with metastasis,85 without metastssis)and axillary lymph nodes were retrospectively analyzed.The results of ultrasonography were compared with pathology.The relationship between these signs and axillary lymph node metastasis were evalued by univariate(Chi-square test)and multivariate analysis(Logistic regression).Agreement was measured with k statistics between ultrasonographic signs and pathology.The correlation between sonographic criteria and axillary lymph node metastasis were evalued.Results The primary tumor size,grade of tumor flow and maximum cortex thickness correlated well with axillary lymph node metastasis by univariate and multivariate analysis(X~2=37.939,13.153,69.128;OR=6.632,3.714,35.442,respectively,P<0.01).Agreement was moderate(k=0.501,0.690,0.673).The primary tumor size,grade of tumor flow and maximum cortex thickness could predict metastatis accurately.The primary tumor size,grade of tumor flow correlated well with maximum cortex thickness(X~2=40.132,33.128,P<0.01).The distance from tumor to skin,changes of fibred structures and some other features could predict metastatis.Conclusions Evaluation of ultrasonographic signs by univariate and multivariate analysis is useful in predicting of breast cancer metastasis to axillary lymph nodes before operation. Key words: Ultrasonography; Breast neoplasms; Lymphatic metastasis