Objective:

To explore the feasibility of ultrasound classification assessment method to predict axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

Methods:

A total of 1 235 breast cancer patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were selected and divided into a modeling group (800 cases) and a validation group (435 cases) according to the order of examination time. The statistically significant independent risk factors were screened and assigned by statistical analysis

and the total score was segmented to create a classification evaluation system. The receiver

operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the total score of the modeling group was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the system

and then the verification group was substituted to verify the performance of the system.

Results:

After statistical testing

the longest diameter and margins of the mass

as well as the thickness of the lymph node cortex

morphological typology

and type of blood supply were independent risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis. The area under curve (AUC) evaluated by the modeling group was 0.783. The AUC evaluated by the verification group was 0.831

and the probability of malignancy was consistent with the assumption.

Conclusion:

The new assessment classification system of conventional ultrasound is reliable in predicting breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis.