title: Can breast nipple fluid collected with automated aspiration and preserved in based-liquid solution improve the cytological samples?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Samples from breast nipples collected with the automated HALO™ Mamo Cito Test were studied in order to evaluate the cellularity for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-nine asymptomatic women were prospectively examined. Women younger than 18 years, pregnant or lactating women, and women with a history of breast cancer, with previous radio- or chemotherapy and with nipple piercing were excluded from the study. Nipple samples from both breasts were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 107 (34.96%) of the 306 samples of nipple discharge analyzed by optical microscopy, adequate cellularity was observed after the HALO procedure. Cytological findings, previously categorized according to the National Health Service Breast Screening Program (NHSBSP), were grouped as unsatisfactory, benign, suspected for malignancy, and malignant. Of the cellular breast samples, 97.19% (104/107) were classified as benign, and 2.81% (3/107) were classified as suspicious for malignancy. In 199 cases there were samples without cells (65.03%). Most of the cells observed were easily recognized as well-preserved and adequately stained macrophages. None of the women reported discomfort with the nipple aspiration procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results discussed here encouraged us to use samples collected automatically in routine procedures.
authors: Mastology Division, Gynecological Department, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. drfilassi@terra.com.br
authors: José Roberto
authors: JR
authors: Filassi
authors: Marco Antonio
authors: MA
authors: Zonta
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Trinconi
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Calvagno
authors: Fernada
authors: F
authors: Velame de Oliveira
authors: Marcos Desidério
authors: MD
authors: Ricci
authors: Edmund
authors: E
authors: Baracat
authors: Adhemar
authors: A
authors: Longatto-Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055966:Nipple Aspirate Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D009558:Nipples / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D055815:Young Adult