title: Brush cytology of gastric malignancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare endoscopic biopsy and cytology versus biopsy alone in the diagnosis of gastric malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 229 cases referred for endoscopy for visible gastric lesions during a four-year period (1996-2000). Both biopsy and brush cytology were performed, and all the slides were screened by a cytotechnologist and reviewed by a pathologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 229 cases, 97 (42.4%) were proven to be malignant and 132 (57.6%) definitely benign. Biopsy was positive in 90 patients (92.7%), while brush cytology was positive in 85 (87.1%). Combined use of biopsy and brush cytology yielded higher diagnostic sensitivity (100%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brush cytology is a safe, easy and rapid method of diagnosing gastric malignancies. Brush cytology is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of gastric malignancies and should be considered a routine method in combination with biopsy. Multiple repeated endoscopies are recommended in cases of positive cytology and negative biopsy to rule out or confirm malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71344, Iran. geramib@sums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geramizadeh
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shafiee
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saberfirruzi
authors.forename: Perikala K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaheem
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*