Deep learning radiomics can predict axillary lymph node status in early-stage breast cancer

Nat Commun. 2020 Mar 6;11(1):1236. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15027-z.

Abstract

Accurate identification of axillary lymph node (ALN) involvement in patients with early-stage breast cancer is important for determining appropriate axillary treatment options and therefore avoiding unnecessary axillary surgery and complications. Here, we report deep learning radiomics (DLR) of conventional ultrasound and shear wave elastography of breast cancer for predicting ALN status preoperatively in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Clinical parameter combined DLR yields the best diagnostic performance in predicting ALN status between disease-free axilla and any axillary metastasis with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.902 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.843, 0.961) in the test cohort. This clinical parameter combined DLR can also discriminate between low and heavy metastatic burden of axillary disease with AUC of 0.905 (95% CI: 0.814, 0.996) in the test cohort. Our study offers a noninvasive imaging biomarker to predict the metastatic extent of ALN for patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Axilla
  • Breast / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Deep Learning*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Mastectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Preoperative Period
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Reference Standards
  • Ultrasonography / standards