Flow cytometry in breast cancer: cell yield using two different fine needle aspiration devices

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cytopathology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is crucial for breast cancer diagnosis.
• Assessing aspirate quality for flow cytometry is vital for accurate prognostic information.
• Comparing different FNAC devices ensures optimal sample collection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the quality of breast aspirates from auto-vacuum and syringe pistol holder FNAC devices.
• To evaluate the suitability of aspirates for flow cytometry analysis.
• To determine if FNAC method impacts DNA index, S-phase fraction, and aneuploidy.

Main Methods:

• Collected 44 fresh surgical breast specimens using both auto-vacuum and syringe pistol holder FNAC.
• Prepared aspirates and de-waxed histology material for flow cytometry (FACScan).
• Analyzed DNA index, S-phase fraction, and aneuploidy for both methods and surgical specimens.

Main Results:

• Mean DNA index and S-phase fraction were similar between both FNAC methods and surgical specimens.
• Mean aneuploidy was significantly higher in auto-vacuum aspirates compared to surgical specimens (p=0.04).
• Both FNAC techniques demonstrated similar efficacy in sample collection for flow cytometry.

Conclusions:

• Both auto-vacuum and syringe pistol holder FNAC devices are effective for obtaining breast aspirates for flow cytometry.
• The choice of FNAC device does not significantly alter key flow cytometry parameters like DNA index and S-phase fraction.
• Further investigation into aneuploidy differences may be warranted.