Histologic examination was performed by a pathologist who had 17 years of experience in breast pathology. MVD of the breast masses was assessed by immunostaining using a mouse monoclonal CD34 antibody (
QBEnd-10, Dako, Agilent Technolgies Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA). First, each slice of the breast mass sections was examined at low magnification (× 10) to identify the three most vascularized areas or “hot spots” (
Eclipse Ni microscope, Nikon, Tokyo, Japan). Second, the microvessels were counted under high magnification (× 200), and the mean counts of the three areas were recorded as MVD.
Histologic diagnoses of the breast masses were performed according to the World Health Organization's classification (26 ). In invasive ductal carcinomas, the immunohistochemical staining results of biomarkers, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR),
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (
HER2), and Ki67, were evaluated. The Allred scoring system was used to assess ER and PR, with a score of more than 2 points being considered positive (27 (
link)).
HER2 expression was considered positive when membrane 3+
HER2 staining was observed on immunohistochemistry or membrane 2+
HER2 staining with
HER2 gene amplification was observed on silver
in situ hybridization. Ki67 expression of 14% or more was considered positive.
Park A.Y., Kwon M., Woo O.H., Cho K.R., Park E.K., Cha S.H., Song S.E., Lee J.H., Cha J., Son G.S, & Seo B.K. (2019). A Prospective Study on the Value of Ultrasound Microflow Assessment to Distinguish Malignant from Benign Solid Breast Masses: Association between Ultrasound Parameters and Histologic Microvessel Densities. Korean Journal of Radiology, 20(5), 759-772.