Diagnostic Accuracy of Cell block Using HistoGel Tube Method in Breast Cancer in Pakistan

Background: Breast malignancy is the major cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. Therefore, early diagnosis is the primary requisition for an effective treatment plan. Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value) of fine needle aspirate cell blocks made by the HistoGel-tube method in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University /Mayo Hospital, Lahore. The study duration was six months. 62 patients with breast lumps, of all ages, both genders, having easily accessible breast lesions and C III, C IV, C V smears on rapid onsite evaluation were included while patients who had received neo-adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy and those reported as C I ,C II smears on ROSE were excluded. FNA was performed and HistoGel cell blocks were made in addition to the conventional smears. Data was entered in SPSS version 26. Results: The mean age of patients included in the study was 47 ± 13 years. 61(98.4%) patients were female while only 1(1.6%) patient was male. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy came out to be 96%, 69%, 92%, 81%, and 90% respectively. Conclusion: HistoGel cell blocks have overall good diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation and diagnosis of breast malignancy.