Cytologic grading of invasive breast carcinoma. Correlation with clinicopathologic variables and predictive value of nodal metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate cytologic grade and correlate it with the other known prognostic factors, such as tumor differentiation, growth fraction, estrogen receptor status and nodal status.


METHODS
Fine needle aspirates from 104 invasive ductal carcinomas were stained by the Papanicolaou method and examined for necrosis, cellular size, nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear pleomorphism, nucleoli, chromatin granularity and density of chromatin. We established a semiquantitative scoring system based on the above features and correlated cytologic findings with clinicopathologic variables.


RESULTS
Histologic grade correlated positively with cytologic grade and negatively with estrogen receptor positivity. Moreover, high cytologic grade was associated with nodal metastasis and proliferative index labeling by MIB-1.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that our grading system for breast cancer on fine needle aspiration cytology is feasible on a routine diagnostic basis. Cytologic grading can provide more information than usual on tumor biologic behavior.
Taniguchi
E
E
Department of Pathology, Affiliated Kihoku Hospital, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
Yang
Q
Q
Tang
W
W
Nakamura
Y
Y
Shan
L
L
Nakamura
M
M
Sato
M
M
Mori
I
I
Sakurai
T
T
Kakudo
K
K
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins