To investigate the relation between quantitative blood flow parameters on 3-dimensional (3D) color histogram, 3D ultrasound characteristics and Ki-67 expression in breast cancer. Three-dimensional ultrasound characteristics and histological classifications of 76 breast tumors in 75 confirmed cases were analyzed. Relations of tumor volume (V), vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI) on 3D color histogram to Ki-67 expression were studied by statistical methods. VI and VFI measurements of tumors in positive Ki-67 expression group were obviously increased compared with the negative expression group (P<0.05). V and FI measurements of positive expression group were higher than those of the negative expression group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Cases showing positive expression of Ki-67 were more likely to have lymph node metastases (P<0.05), and Ki-67 expression positively correlated with histological classification (P<0.05). However, the two groups did not show significant differences in the findings of "sun-like symptom" (P>0.05). Qualitative and quantitative 3D ultrasound characteristics correlated with positive expression of Ki-67 in breast cancer. Quantitative analysis with 3D color histogram more accurately evaluates blood supply of breast tumors, providing references for predicting biological behaviors and prognosis of breast cancer.
Keywords: 3-dimensional ultrasound; Ki-67; breast cancer; color histogram.