PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF BREAST-CANCER CYTOLOGIC GRADING - A RETROSPECTIVESTUDY OF 213 CASES

The authors evaluate 213 consecutive breast cancer cases with positive fine-needle aspiration cytology. Cytologic smears were reviewed and c lassified according to a grading system. A correlation between cytolog ic grading and pathological stage (T and N category) was observed. Uni variate analysis of 5-yr overall survival rate showed a significant ne gative association with prognosis only for G3 (90%) compared to G1 (72 %) cases. Such prognostic correlation was no longer significant at mul tivariate (Cox) analysis adjusting for potential confounders such as T or N categories. The prognostic value of cytologic grading is limited and dependent on other classic prognostic indicators that are current ly determined in breast cancer patients. Its practical value is neglig ible, as it does not improve the prognostic judgment.