Reporting breast fine needle aspiration cytology using the international academy of cytology Yokohama system: Experience in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

: In developing countries for all palpable breast lesions, Fine needle aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) is the most suitable test as FNAB is minimally invasive and cost-effective. The present study was undertaken to categorise the Breast Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) samples according to the IAC Yokohama system of reporting and to assess the Risk of malignancy (ROM) for each category as well as to elucidate other quality indicators of the Breast FNAB. : Among the total 102 cases in which FNAC were performed, 9 were insufficient/ inadequate (8.80%), 11 were benign (10.80%), 5 were atypical (4.95%), 3 were suspicious (2.95%) and the rest 74 FNACs were malignant (72.5%). ROM of insufficient/inadequate, benign, atypical, suspicious and malignant ware 37.5%, 0%, 50%, 100% and 100% respectively. Absolute sensitivity (only category V) was 90.1 and complete sensitivity (including category III to V) was 96.3%. Specificity of IAC Yokohama system is 100% when considering category 5 as positive and is 88.9% when considering category 3 to 5 as positive. : The IAC Yokohama Reporting System for breast cytology has high sensitivity, specificity. The ROM in our study done in Indian population ware comparable to the proposed IAC Yokohama system which suggests the IAC Yokohama system has high reproducibility and can be applied in Indian population. Usage of FNAC for the evaluation of breast lumps and categorization based on the Yokohama system helps in ideal management of the patient, reducing the requirement of core needle biopsy.