Associations Between Elastography Findings and Clinicopathological Factors in Breast Cancer.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of breast tumor tissue stiffness based on ultrasound elastographic evaluation in clinical breast cancer. Tumor tissue stiffness is mainly regulated by interactions among tumor cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix and was recently regarded as a representative feature of tumor microenvironment. Basic research has already revealed that the tumor stiffness can lead to tumor progression; however, little is known about its clinical significance because thus far, no useful modality is available in the clinical setting. We investigated the tumor stiffness by strain elastography in 503 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer. Correlations between stiffness and clinicopathological factors, including tumor size, lymph node invol

SUBMITTER: Hayashi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5058935 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature