G. Hurtevent-Labrot

Radiological features of triple-negative breast cancers (73 cases)

OBJECTIVES Triple-negative breast cancers generally occur in young women and they have the potential to be aggressive. It is important for this subtype of tumour to be detected early. We studied the appearance of 73 tumours on mammography, sonography and MRI in order to determine what specific features they showed on imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS From July 2009 to December 2010, we retrospectively reviewed mammogram and sonogram images of 73 triple-negative cancers. Colour Doppler had been used to depict vascularisation in 34 cases and elastography score calculated in 17 cases. Sixteen patients had undergone MRI. The radiological description of these different modalities draws on the BI-RADS lexicon and categorisation. RESULTS On mammography, triple-negative cancers often presented as a round mass (59.3%) or an oval or lobulated mass (65%), with circumscribed (15%), microlobulated (12.5%), indistinct (55%) or occasionally spiculated margins (15%). On sonography, the vast majority of these cancers appeared as masses (92.8%) with occasional posterior acoustic attenuation (22.6%). MRI showed more suspicious images than the standard examinations, notably rim-enhancement (eight out of 12 masses). CONCLUSION . Radiological images appear as lobulated masses more readily, while on sonography posterior enhancement is shown more often than attenuation, and MRI finds rim-enhancement.

Correlation between imaging and molecular classification of breast cancers.

The histological type of tumour according to the WHO: ductal, lobular, rare forms, is correlated with specific aspects of the imaging based on each type. This morphological classification was improved by knowledge of the molecular anomalies of breast cancers, resulting in the definition of cancer sub-groups with distinct prognoses and different responses to treatment: luminal A, luminal B, HER2 positive, basal-like, triple-negative. Studies are beginning to deal with the appearance of each sub-type in the imaging. It is now important for the radiologist to be familiar with them.

Correlation between imaging and prognostic factors: Molecular classification of breast cancers

The new molecular classification of breast cancers defines cancer sub-groups with a distinct prognosis and response to treatment. Studies on the literature deal with the imaging of each tumour sub-type. The radiologist should be familiar with them in order to adapt the care of an aggressive sub-type. In view of the current knowledge, the following have been significantly more often observed: mammographical spiculated mass with echogenic halo in luminal A sub-type; architectural distortion in luminal B sub-type; an irregular mass with indistinct margin comprising microcalcifications, with an abrupt interface in the sonography, or non-sonographic mass in the HER2 sub-type; a very hypoechogenic, lobulated mass with indistinct or microlobulated margin, with an abrupt interface, sometimes pseudo-benign, in the triple-negative sub-type.

Establishment of a consultation to announce the results of a breast biopsy.

PURPOSE Establishment of post-breast biopsy consultations to announce the results. Evaluation of this system in order to help improve the practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS The radio-senologists benefited from continuing medical education for the in-house announcement. Fifty patients (with malignant results) received questionnaires comprising 13 items and the possibility of free and anonymous comments. RESULTS The authors present tools to help in the interview. Thirty-one questionnaires were returned by the patients and were analysed. Thirty patients (96.8%) considered the information provided as rather or fully sufficient, and only one considered that she did not have enough time to ask all of the questions she wanted to ask. Two patients (6.6%) found the scheduling of the subsequent appointments insufficient. The patients had a rather positive overall judgement about this consultation. CONCLUSION The radiologist may provide one of the consultations to announce the results, depending on their involvement in senology, their personal expertise and their integration in the care network.