Objective To compare the ultrasonographic characteristics of different molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer and analyze their relationships with prognosis.

Methods The clinical and ultrasonic data of 250 patients with invasive breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into Luminal A type (n=53), Luminal B type (n=104), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression type (n=45) and triple-negative type (n=48) according to pathological findings. The ultrasonic characteristics as well as 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) among different molecular subtypes were compared, and the influencing factors the prognosis of invasive breast cancer were analyzed.

Results There were significant differences in ultrasonic imaging characteristics such as tumor growth direction, posterior echo and microcalcification between different molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer (P < 0.05). Single factor analysis showed that molecular subtypes, tumor size, tumor staging, axillary lymph node metastasis and hyperechoic halo were associated with DFS and OS of patients with invasive breast cancer (P < 0.05). Multi-factor Cox regression analysis showed that molecular subtypes, tumor staging and hyperechoic halo were the independent influencing factors of DFS and OS in patients with invasive breast cancer (P < 0.05).

Conclusion There are some differences in the ultrasonic characteristics and prognosis of different molecular types in patients with invasive breast cancer. Molecular subtypes, tumor staging and hyperechoic halo are the independent prognostic factors of invasive breast cancer.