Cytologic Classification of Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast - A Proposal for Use of Cytologic Criteria Grading System -

Fine needle aspiration biopsy has been proved as a safe, accurate and cost-effective diagnostic modality in palpable breast lesions. Cytologically, fibrocystic disease can be classified into 3 categories as nonproliferative breast disease, proliferative breast disease without atypia, and proliferative breast disease with atypia. This terminology for fine needle aspirates is compatible with that of diagnostic histopathology. Cytologic differentiation of nonproliferative disease from proliferative breast disease is important, since the risk of cancer development in cases of atypical hyperplasia is 4-5 times higher than that of general population. Twenty five fine needle aspirates of fibrocystic disease confirmed by subsequent histopathology were re-evaluated and classified into 3 categories depending on their architectural and nuclear features. In addition, these aspirates were scored according to the cytologic grading system, devised by Masood et al. and based on six cytologic criteria. Concordance rates between cytomorpholgic diagnosis and cytologic diagnosis using the cytologic criteria grading system and histologic diagnosis were 88% and 92%, respectively.