Histopathology of Breast Carcinoma - an Audit of 50 Reports in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Objective: The study was undertaken to document and highlight the shortcomings of histopathology reportingof breast carcinoma in Pakistan so that improvements can be recommended and a standardized protocol devised.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study and was conducted at Histopathology Department, ArmedForces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from 1st January 2008 to 31st October 2008. Fifty consecutive breastcarcinoma reports received for review from different laboratories were analyzed for documentation of patientsage, sex, type of procedure / specimen, specimen size, tumour size, invasive tumour type, invasive tumour grade,comment on excision margins, extent of lymph node involvement, insitu component, lymphovascular invasion,necrosis, skin involvement and tabular format. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for presence ofthese above mentioned variables in different reports, keeping in mind the possible information that could beobtained from a particular sample.
Results: It was found that the variable least mentioned in the reports was insitu component commented upon in only 23.2% of reports. Necrosis was mentioned in 35% of reports. Tabularformat was found in 36% of reports only.
Conclusion: Marked deficiencies are seen in histopathology reportsfor breast carcinoma due to the lack of any standardized reporting system. Separate checklist formats fortrucut biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies should be introduced to ensure uniform reporting.