Robinson’s cytological grading on fine needle aspirates (FNAC) of breast cancers and its correlation with histopathological grading

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in females. Fine needle aspiration cytology plays an important role in the management of these patients.

Aims and objectives: 1) To study Robinson’s cytological grading on preoperative FNAC smears in cases of breast carcinoma. 2) To correlate Robinson’s cytological grading with modified Scarff Bloom Richardson histopathological grading.

Methods: A retrospective study was done on 50 patients of breast carcinoma over the period of 2 years from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019 at a tertiary care center.

Results: Groups II and group III cases of breast carcinomas were correlated very well on cytological and histopathological grading. The sensitivity of cytological grading in the present study were 66.66%, 75% and 85.71 respectively. Specificity were 85%, 76.92% and 90.90% respectively i.e. maximum in grade III. The k value for present study showed 0.62 i.e substantial agreement.

Conclusion: Cytological grading of breast carcinomas is a useful prognostic marker in the management of breast carcinoma. It is helpful in selecting the patients for modified radical mastectomy with axillary dissection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.