Proposed prognostic score for breast carcinoma on fine needle aspiration based on nuclear grade, cellular dyscohesion and bare atypical nuclei

Fine needle aspiration is an established diagnostic tool in breast carcinoma. Although the potential of using the same diagnostic aspirate material to provide additional cytomorphologic prognostic or predictive information has been investigated, no well‐recognized, practical grading system has been established. Such system is necessary in guiding treatment, monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect and predicting outcome. We herein propose a new grading system, combining nuclear grade, cellular dyscohesion, and bare atypical nuclei to arrive at one cytoprognostic score. Cytoprognostic scores were compared with other known prognostic factors. Fine needle aspirations of breast diagnosed as adenocarcinoma from 55 patients were reviewed. The cytoprognostic score combined three features including nuclear grade (score 1–3), cellular dyscohesion (score 1–3), and bare atypical nuclei (score 0, 1). A cytoprognostic score of 3 and below was considered a low score, and a score of 4–7 was considered a high score. The cytoprognostic score was then compared to histologic grade, lymph node status, and expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her2‐Neu, Ki‐67, and p53 in the subsequently excised tumor. A low cytoprognostic score predicted a low to intermediate grade carcinoma and a high score predicted an intermediate to high‐grade carcinoma. A high cytoprognostic score also correlated with more positive lymph node metastasis, and poor expression of prognostic markers. In conclusion, cytoprognostic score is performed with ease and shows a great promise as a cost‐effective way to predict biological behavior of breast carcinoma and guide clinical management. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:542–546. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.