3D breast ultrasound: a significant predictor in breast cancer reduction under pre-operative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND The objective was the investigation of a possible predictive quantitative impact of initial tumor sphericity, measured by 3D sonography, on response to pre-operative chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS This 3D ultrasound study was conducted on 41 consecutive primary breast cancer patients who received pre-operative epirubicin and paclitaxel chemotherapy; the tumors were measured by 3D sonography and by pathology after chemotherapy. Sphericity was defined as the ratio of the smallest to the largest extent by 3D sonography. RESULTS A predictive impact of initial tumor sphericity on response to pre-operative chemotherapy was quantitatively identified for the first time. Sphericity was a significant predictor of pathological complete remission with a rank difference of 0.34 or about 1/3 i.e., spherical tumors were more likely to show successful remission. CONCLUSION Tumor sphericity as defined from 3D sonography could be predictive of response to pre-operative chemotherapy regimens; prospective investigation is suggested.