[The "gray zone" in organized mammography screening: histocytological correlations]

The National Public Health Program has established the organized mammography screening in Hungary. The aim of this study was to conduct an audit of "gray zone" smears of the organized mammography screening in comparison with histopathological diagnoses.

Cytology results were rated to C3 atypia probably benign and C4 suspicious of malignancy.

1361 women had aspiration cytology performed from a total of 47,718 mammography non-negative lesions. 105 (7.8%) were diagnosed as C3, whereas 78 (5.7) as C4. Of the 105 patients with C3 diagnosis 61 (58%) patients underwent surgical biopsy. Histology proved malignancy in 20 (32.8%) cases, and benign lesion in 41 (67.2%) cases. All (100%) of the 78 patients with C4 diagnosis had open biopsies; 69 (88.4%) cases were histologically malignant and 9 (11.6%) cases were benign lesions.

The auditing results of fine needle aspiration cytology of "gray zone" in organized mammography screening meet the proposed threshold values. Authors conclude that the "gray zone" category in breast cytology is useful and of value if used judiciously.