Robinson′s cytological grading on aspirates of breast carcinoma: Correlation with Bloom Richardson′s histological grading

Background : Cytological grading (CG) on aspirates of breast carcinoma is a useful tool for surgical maneuver and prognosis. Aims : An endeavor was made to use CG on aspirates of breast carcinoma using Robinson′s grade and to correlate it with Bloom Richardsons′ histopathological grading. Materials and Methods : A total of 59 patients of breast carcinoma, aged 28-57 years, were aspirated and the smears were graded using Robinson′s criteria. All the cases were correlated with Bloom Richardson′s grade on histopathology in mastectomy specimens. Lymphadenopathy in 38 cases was aspirated and stained with Papanicolaou and Romanowsky stain. Results : Robinson′s CG correlated well with Bloom Richardson′s histopathological grading. For grade I and II tumors, there was substantial strength of agreement between cytology and histopathology, while in grade III, the concordance was nearly perfect. Lymph node metastasis was found in 27 of 32 axillary nodes, three of five cervical nodes and the only palpable supraclavicular node. Lymph node metastasis was observed in three with cytological grade II, 28 of grade III and none of grade I. All grade I had stage A, two of grade II had stage B, while all grade III had either stage B or stage C disease. Conclusions : Thus, CG of breast carcinoma correlates well with histopathological grading and may well be useful as a prognostic marker.