Cytological and Immunocytochemistry Findings in Fallopian Tube Brush Specimens and Their Correlation With Histology

Abstract

Context

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most prevalent and lethal form of ovarian cancer, is increasingly recognised to originate in the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube (FT). Timely detection remains a critical unmet clinical need due to ineffective screening methods. This prospective observational study assesses the diagnostic potential of FT brush cytology by correlating cytomorphological and immunocytochemical findings with histologically confirmed HGSC.

Methods and Material

A total of 134 FT from 89 patients undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) were analysed. Liquid-based cytology samples were evaluated for morphological abnormalities and subjected to immunocytochemistry using p53 and Ki-67 markers. Cytological results were classified as benign, suspicious or malignant. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity and odds ratio calculations via logistic regression (α = 0.05), performed using the R software.

Results

Histopathology confirmed HGSC in 15 patients. Of these, brush cytology identified 12 as suspicious or malignant, demonstrating high diagnostic concordance. Aberrant p53 expression was found in 11 cases, and a high Ki-67 proliferation index was observed in 10. These findings underscore the strong correlation between cytological, immunocytochemical and histological features of tubal HGSC.

Conclusions

In conclusion, FT brush cytology combined with p53 and Ki-67 immunocytochemistry shows promise as a minimally invasive approach for early HGSC detection. Future research should focus on larger prospective cohorts, ideally incorporating in vivo hysteroscopic sampling.