Analysis of cytopathologic breast examinations and mammography in the diagnosis of breast diseases, Santo Ângelo (RS), Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, an increased incidence of breast cancer followed by mortality has been observed. Objective: To analyze breast cytopathologyc examinations and mammographies in a group of women who had breast related complaints. Methods: The sample was composed of 46 medical records of patients treated at a mastology clinic in Santo Ângelo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 2006 to 2009, who presented with breast related complaints and underwent cytopathologyc examinations at Laboratory Oswaldo Cruz . Results: The mean age of patients was 40.2 years old, ranging from 17 to 79 years of age. The nodule represented 56.7% of mammary complaints. Regarding mammography findings, most of the women (47,8%; 22 patients) were not submitted to the examination. Among those who underwent mammography, 23.9% (11 individuals) presented BI-RADS® 2. Among the patients who underwent the cytologic examination (47.83%, 22 participants), most of them had breast cyst, followed by 28.26% (13) of patients with fibroadenoma. In cytopathologyc tests by age group, it was observed that most patients (93.49%) presented negative results for malignancy, and this finding was more frequent (56,52%) among women aged 40 years old or more. Conclusion: The early detection of breast cancer is very important due to its lethality, as well as physical and emotional sequelae for women who receive this diagnosis, allowing better survival rates and quality of life for women.