Correlation of Cytological Features with Axillary Lymph Nodal Involvement in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast - A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is very useful for the pre-operative diagnosis of breast cancer. The efficacy of FNAC to determine the prognosis in breast carcinomas has to be explored. Aims: The present study is designed to determine the prognostic role of FNAC by correlation of the cytological features of Invasive Ductal carcinoma of Breast (IDC) with the axillary lymph nodal metastasis, which is a known prognostic marker. Materials and Methods: A total of 68 cases of IDC of breast diagnosed on FNAC with subsequent modified radical mastectomy in our hospital were included in the study group. Both FNAC and histopathology slides were retrieved for all the cases. The FNAC smears were assigned cytological grades according to Robinson's grading system. The histopathological sections of axillary lymph nodes were assessed for metastasis. Correlation was done between cytological grade and lymph nodal metastasis. Results: Cytological grading of IDC and axillary lymph nodal metastasis showed a statistically significant correlation (P <0.05). Individual features like nuclear size, cell uniformity, nucleoli and nuclear margin showed positive correlation with axillary lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Positive correlation is observed between Robinson's cytological grading of IDC on FNAC with axillary lymph nodal metastasis, hence cytological grading on FNAC can be used as a prognostic tool. Possibility of axillary lymph nodal metastasis in cases with high cytological grade of IDC on FNAC must be considered by the treating oncologist for the adequate patient management.

Keywords

• invasive duct carcinoma
• fine needle aspiration cytology
• robinson's cytological grading
• axillary nodal metastasis