Is There Any Association Between Mammographic Features of Microcalcifications and Breast Cancer Subtypes in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ?

Rationale and objectives: To analyze the association between mammographic features of microcalcifications and histopathological prognostic factors based on estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively determined 66 patients with microcalcification-associated pure DCIS. Distribution and morphological features of the microcalcifications were described using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon. All patients were divided into three subgroups: ER-positive, HER-2 positive, and triple-negative according to the immunohistochemical findings.

Results: The morphological features of microcalcifications and receptor subtypes were significantly correlated (p = 0.026). Fine pleomorphic and fine linear branching microcalcifications were observed in 85.2% of HER-2 positive cases, whereas this ratio was 71.4 % in ER-positive and 25% in the triple-negative group. Fine linear branching microcalcifications with linear or segmental distribution were more frequently found with comedo necrosis (p < 0.05). Larger tumour sizes were also associated with microcalcification distribution (p < 0.001). Segmental microcalcifications more likely associated with larger tumour sizes.

Conclusion: Mammographic features in DCIS correlated with immunohistochemical and histopathological prognostic factors.