Researchers reviewed existing studies on using advanced ultrasound to identify different molecular types of breast cancer before surgery. This is important because knowing a tumor's subtype can help guide treatment decisions. The review found that techniques measuring tumor stiffness, blood flow patterns, and computer-assisted analysis show consistent promise in telling these subtypes apart.
The studies analyzed used various ultrasound methods, including elastography (which measures stiffness) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (which looks at blood flow). Computer models that combine multiple ultrasound features also showed potential. However, the review did not report on the specific number of patients in these studies or their detailed characteristics.
Importantly, the authors note that this ability to separate subtypes should be seen as a statistical probability, not a biological certainty. The exact reasons why ultrasound features differ between subtypes are still largely unknown. No safety concerns specific to the ultrasound techniques were highlighted in this review.
The main reason for caution is that the current evidence has significant limitations. Most studies were done at single centers, looked back at past data, and used different standards for comparison. There has been very little testing to see if these methods work reliably in new, different groups of patients. Readers should understand this is an active area of research, not a ready-for-clinic tool. The review outlines a path forward for future studies needed to make these techniques clinically useful.