Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Nov 26, 2023; 11(33): 7994-8002
Published online Nov 26, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i33.7994
Comparative analysis of conventional ultrasound and shear wave elastography features in primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Xiao-Duan Zhang, Kai Zhang
Xiao-Duan Zhang, Department of Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550081, Guizhou Province, China
Kai Zhang, Department of Medical Oncology, Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang XD proposed the concept of this study, contributed to data collection, and drafted the first draft; Zhang K contributed to the formal analysis, guides research, methodlogy, and visualization of this study; Zhang XD and Zheng K participated in the research, validated this study, jointly reviewed and edited the manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University.
Informed consent statement: Patients were not required to give informed consent to the study because the analysis used anonymous clinical data that were obtained after each patient agreed to treatment by written consent.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors of this manuscript having no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Kai Zhang, MD, Attending Doctor, Department of Medical Oncology, Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, No. 1 Fangbei Road, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China. zkai202207@163.com
Received: September 25, 2023
Peer-review started: September 25, 2023
First decision: October 17, 2023
Revised: October 18, 2023
Accepted: November 13, 2023
Article in press: November 13, 2023
Published online: November 26, 2023
Processing time: 60 Days and 2 Hours
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL) is a rare invasive breast tumor. The accuracy of traditional ultrasound (US) imaging for PB-DLBCL is limited. By comparing traditional US and shear wave elastography (SWE), it is expected to achieve more accurate diagnosis, predict patient survival and disease progression, and improve decision-making and treatment strategies. SWE has also enhanced the understanding of the biological characteristics of PB-DLBCL, laying the foundation for future research. This study is of great significance in improving the diagnosis and treatment of PB-DLBCL.

Research motivation

It aims to understand its characteristics, diagnosis, and management. The study evaluates the limitations of conventional breast US and explores the potential of SWE in improving diagnosis and prognosis. Success in this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and advancements in PB-DLBCL care.

Research objectives

Research compares conventional US and SWE features in PB-DLBCL. It aims to establish diagnostic criteria, explore the correlation between SWE and tumor aggressiveness (Ki-67 expression), and assess prognostic value for overall survival and progression-free survival. The goal is to enhance PB-DLBCL diagnosis and management, with SWE showing promise for disease differentiation and prognosis evaluation.

Research methods

This retrospective study compared conventional US and SWE in PB-DLBCL. The study included 32 patients with PB-DLBCL and analyzed US and SWE features. Findings showed distinct characteristics in PB-DLBCL lesions and identified a cutoff value of 54.5 kPa for SWE mean elasticity. Conventional US and SWE were valuable for diagnosing and forecasting PB-DLBCL, with SWE showing promise in differentiating PB-DLBCL from benign lesions and correlating with tumor aggressiveness. These findings highlight SWE's potential as an adjunct diagnostic tool in challenging breast lymphoma cases.

Research results

Research on PB-DLBCL revealed distinct US and SWE characteristics. PB-DLBCL exhibited specific US traits, while SWE had significantly higher mean elasticity values distinguishing it from benign lesions. SWE demonstrated high diagnostic performance, correlated with tumor aggressiveness, and predicted survival outcomes. This research highlights SWE's efficacy in PB-DLBCL diagnosis and prognosis, providing valuable insights for managing this challenging lymphoma subtype.

Research conclusions

This study highlights the diagnostic and prognostic significance of imaging techniques in PB-DLBCL. Conventional US has limitations in accuracy, while SWE effectively distinguishes PB-DLBCL from benign lesions. SWE's diagnostic performance correlates with tumor aggressiveness (Ki-67 expression), reflecting its potential for assessing proliferation. Higher SWE mean elasticity values are associated with poorer survival outcomes, indicating its promising role in disease management. These insights offer valuable guidance for managing this rare and challenging lymphoma subtype.

Research perspectives

This study suggests promising research perspectives for PB-DLBCL. These include advanced imaging, validation studies, treatment strategy impact, long-term monitoring, clinical guidelines, patient outcomes, and cost-benefit analyses. These directions can enhance PB-DLBCL understanding, improve diagnosis and management, and lead to personalized treatment approaches, benefiting patients with this challenging condition.