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Brush cytology of gastric malignancies
Bita Geramizadeh1, Ali Shafiee, Mehdi Saberfirruzi
1Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71344, Iran. geramib@sums.ac.ir
Objective:
To compare endoscopic biopsy and cytology versus biopsy alone in the diagnosis of gastric malignancies.
Study Design:
This prospective study included 229 cases referred for endoscopy for visible gastric lesions during a four-year period (1996-2000). Both biopsy and brush cytology were performed, and all the slides were screened by a cytotechnologist and reviewed by a pathologist.
Results:
Of the 229 cases, 97 (42.4%) were proven to be malignant and 132 (57.6%) definitely benign. Biopsy was positive in 90 patients (92.7%), while brush cytology was positive in 85 (87.1%). Combined use of biopsy and brush cytology yielded higher diagnostic sensitivity (100%).
Conclusion:
Brush cytology is a safe, easy and rapid method of diagnosing gastric malignancies. Brush cytology is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of gastric malignancies and should be considered a routine method in combination with biopsy. Multiple repeated endoscopies are recommended in cases of positive cytology and negative biopsy to rule out or confirm malignancy.