Objective       To investigate the correlation of ultrasonographic characteristics with molecular  markers including estrogen receptor (ER)

progesterone receptor (PR)

and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (CerbB-2) in breast cancer

and provide the basis for judging biological behaviors of breast lesions and prognosis of patients.        Methods       The ultrasonographic characteristics and paraffin sections of 94 cases of breast cancer from the endocrine breast surgery department of the first affiliated hospital of Chongqing medical university were analyzed retrospectively in this study. All the patients were female

with an average age of 51.5±10.6 years old

and all the cases were confirmed by histopathology. The correlation of ultrasonographic characteristics with the ER

PR and CerbB-2 expression was analyzed.        Results       There was no correlation between the shape

size and orientation of tumor and the expression of ER

PR and CerbB-2 (P0.05). Tumors with hyperechoic halo sign and posterior shadow were correlated with the positive expression of ER

and the differences were statistically significant (P0.05). The positive expression of ER and PR in the tumors with edge spiculated sign were significantly higher than those in the tumors without the sign (P0.05). The microcalcification and plentiful blood flow were related with the positive expression of CerbB-2 (P0.05). Axillary lymph node metastasis was correlated with the negative expression of ER and PR and the positive expression of CerbB-2 (P0.05).         Conclusion       There is certain correlation between ultrasonographic characteristics and molecular markers in breast cancer. The breast tumors with spiculation and hyperechoic halo and without axillary lymph node metastasis are correlated with positive expression of ER

more suitable for endocrine therapy

and have good prognosis. The breast tumors with microcalcification

plentiful blood flow and axillary lymph node metastasis have high expression of CerbB-2

indicating malignant tumors and bad prognosis.