[Prognostic value of cytological signs in breast cancer]

From a variety of cytological patterns of breast cancer the signs are singled out, which may be of a prognostic value for determining the degree of tumor malignancy prior to instituting any kind of therapy. The data on 59 patients, radically treated for breast cancer, stage IIIb, are reported: 17 patients died during a year period, 42 - survived for 5 years and longer. There were singled out 11 cytological signs among which are those available in the WHO classification for typing breast cancer malignancy. The most informational signs were as follows: the character of cell location, the content of "naked" nuclei and nuclear hyperchromia. It was found that for low malignancy cancer a combination of the following signs is typical: a predominance of cell aggregations, the content of "naked" nuclei not exceeding 20%, and the absence of nuclear hyperchromia. To determine the rate of breast cancer malignancy in a cytological investigation, it is recommended to take into account, in addition to the recommended by the WHO classification signs (hyperchromia, the number of mitoses, heterogenity of nuclei in size, form and character of staining), also such a sign as the content of "naked" nuclei.