Cytomorphological spectrum of breast fine needle aspiration cytology using the International Academy of Cytology Yokohama System and evaluation of associated risk of malignancy–A retrospective study in a tertiary care cente

Abstract

Abstract Background Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast is a well-established technique that aids in the preoperative identification and differentiation between nonneoplastic and neoplastic breast lesions. Breast lesions can be efficiently categorized into different cytological groups using the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) Yokohama System. The aim of this study was to classify breast lesions based on the proposed Yokohama system of reporting breast cytology and identify the need for a unified system of reporting breast lesions. Materials and methods This retrospective descriptive study was performed in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Datia, M.P. from January 2019 to June 2023. A total of 762 FNAC slides reported during this period were retrieved, re-examined and reclassified according to the IAC Yokohama System. Histopathological diagnoses were also retrieved and correlated with the cytological findings wherever available. Results In the present study, a total of 762 smears of breast fine needle aspirations were included and categorized using the IAC Yokohama System. There were 3.8% cases (29/762) in the C1 category (insufficient), 71.6% cases (545/762) in the C2 category (benign), 6.3% cases (48/762) in the C3 category (atypical), 3.1% cases (24/762) in the C4 category (suspicious for malignancy) and 15.2% (116/762) cases in the C5 category (malignant). Conclusion FNAC is a reliable diagnostic technique for the evaluation and management of breast lesions prior to surgery. Implementing the IAC Yokohama System for reporting breast cytopathology enhances the accuracy of diagnosing breast lesions, reduces missed diagnoses, and offers reliable estimates of risk of malignancy. Adopting the Yokohama system is a crucial first step in boosting the overall effectiveness of breast cytology reporting among clinicians and pathologists, which will ultimately lead to improved communication and patient care.