Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40349137›Full record

ArticleThe oncologist2025

Ultrasound-based deep learning radiomics for enhanced axillary lymph node metastasis assessment: a multicenter study.

Di Zhang, Wang Zhou, Wen-Wu Lu, Xia-Chuan Qin, Xian-Ya Zhang, Yan-Hong Luo, Jun Wu, Jun-Li Wang, Jun-Jie Zhao, Chao-Xue Zhang

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in The oncologist, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Di ZhangDepartment of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Wang ZhouDepartment of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Wen-Wu LuDepartment of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Xia-Chuan QinDepartment of Medical Ultrasound, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Xian-Ya ZhangDepartment of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Yan-Hong LuoDepartment of Ultrasound, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China.
Jun WuDepartment of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Jun-Li WangDepartment of Ultrasound, WuHu Hospital, East China Normal University (The Second People's Hospital, WuHu), Wuhu, China.
Jun-Jie ZhaoDepartment of Medical Ultrasound, Fuyang Cancer Hospital, Fuyang, China.
Chao-Xue ZhangDepartment of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.ORCID 0000-0002-3037-8819

Funding

Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation 2308085MH278Health Research Program of Anhui AHWJ2023A10017Postgraduate Innovation ResearchPractice Program of Anhui Medical University YJS20230130
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccurate preoperative assessment of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer is crucial for guiding treatment decisions. This study aimed to develop a deep-learning radiomics model for assessing ALNM and to evaluate its impact on radiologists' diagnostic accuracy.

methodsThis multicenter study included 866 breast cancer patients from 6 hospitals. The data were categorized into training, internal test, external test, and prospective test sets. Deep learning and handcrafted radiomics features were extracted from ultrasound images of primary tumors and lymph nodes. The tumor score and LN score were calculated following feature selection, and a clinical-radiomics model was constructed based on these scores along with clinical-ultrasonic risk factors. The model's performance was validated across the 3 test sets. Additionally, the diagnostic performance of radiologists, with and without model assistance, was evaluated.

resultsThe clinical-radiomics model demonstrated robust discrimination with AUCs of 0.94, 0.92, 0.91, and 0.95 in the training, internal test, external test, and prospective test sets, respectively. It surpassed the clinical model and single score in all sets (P < .05). Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves validated the clinical utility of the clinical-radiomics model. Moreover, the model significantly improved radiologists' diagnostic accuracy, with AUCs increasing from 0.71 to 0.82 for the junior radiologist and from 0.75 to 0.85 for the senior radiologist.

conclusionsThe clinical-radiomics model effectively predicts ALNM in breast cancer patients using noninvasive ultrasound features. Additionally, it enhances radiologists' diagnostic accuracy, potentially optimizing resource allocation in breast cancer management.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsDeep LearningLymphatic MetastasisLymph NodesRadiomicsAdultAgedAxillaFemaleHumansMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSoftware ValidationUltrasonographyaxillary lymph node metastasisbreast cancerpredictive modelradiomicsultrasound

Identifiers

PMID40349137
PMCPMC12065944

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.