| Objective:?To investigate the correlation between Ki-67 expression level and ultrasonographic features, pathological histological grade, and tumor stage in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Methods:?A total of 192 patients with pathologically confirmed TNBC were divided into three groups according to Ki-67 expression level: low-expression group (Ki-67 ≤ 30%, n=76), medium-expression group (30% < Ki-67 ≤ 50%, n=51), and high-expression group (Ki-67 > 50%, n=65). Differences in clinicopathological data and ultrasonographic features among the three groups were analyzed and compared.
Results:?The maximum tumor diameter of TNBC patients in the three groups with different Ki-67 expression levels decreased progressively, and the difference was statistically significant (26.1±10.8 mm vs 23.3±12.7 mm vs 20.8±10.3 mm, F=3.915, P=0.022). The proportion of high histological grade increased with the elevation of Ki-67 expression (63.2%, 76.5%, 90.8%, respectively; χ2=14.668, P<0.001). The differences in the distribution of clinical stages (Stage I, II, III) among the three groups were statistically significant (χ2=12.425, P=0.015). Regarding ultrasonographic features, TNBC patients with regular tumor shape, mixed internal echogenicity, and posterior acoustic enhancement presented with higher Ki-67 expression levels. The differences among the three groups in the proportions of regular tumor shape (14.5%, 17.6%, 32.3%), hypoechoic internal echo (88.2%, 84.3%, 70.8%), and posterior acoustic enhancement (51.3%, 80.4%, 81.5%) were all statistically significant (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion:?Ki-67 expression level in TNBC is correlated with certain ultrasonographic features, histological grade, and tumor stage. Familiarity with the characteristics of TNBC tumors with different Ki-67 expression levels may help improve the understanding and diagnostic accuracy of this disease. |
