A STUDY TO CLASSIFY THE FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATES OF BREAST LUMPS AS PER THE IAC YOKOHAMA SYSTEM FOR REPORTING BREAST PATHOLOGY IN THANJAVUR MEDICAL COLLEGE
Sumathi Ravikumar, Senthilkumar Mani, Vishnu Rajendran, Venkatraman Kalyanaraman · PARIPEX-INDIAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH · 2025
Background: Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a widely used,minimally invasive diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of breast lumps.Accurate classification of FNA cytology is crucial for determining the appropriate clinical management. The IAC Yokohama System, developed by the International Academy of Cytology (IAC), provides a standardized framework for reporting breast pathology, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and consistency across different healthcare settings. Objective: This study aims to classify breast lump fine needle aspirates using the IAC Yokohama System and evaluate its effectiveness in distinguishing benign, malignant, and indeterminate lesions. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a series of breast lump FNAs performed at THANJAVUR MEDICAL COLLEGE. The cytology slides were classified according to the IAC Yokohama System,which includes categories such as benign, suspicious, malignant, and non-diagnostic.The histopathological correlation was established where available, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the system were calculated. Results:A total of 569 breast FNAs were analysed.The majority of cases were classified as 68.5% benign, 18.2% malignant, and (6.6%) atypical. The sensitivity and specificity of the IAC Yokohama System in predicting malignant lesions were found to be 95.16% and 100%, respectively.The system demonstrated a high concordance with histopathological findings, suggesting its reliability in clinical practice. Conclusion: The IAC Yokohama System provides a valuable framework for the classification of breast lump FNAs,facilitating consistent and accurate reporting. Its application enhances diagnostic precision, which is critical for patient management. The study supports the integration of the IAC Yokohama System into routine breast pathology practice for better clinical outcomes. Further prospective studies are recommended to refine its diagnostic utility across diverse populations and healthcare settings .