DIAGNOSTIC ROLE OF P63 IMMUNOSTAINING IN FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY SMEARS OF BREAST LUMPS

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a simple, non-invasive, reliable and economical procedure for the exact evaluation of lump breast. P63 is a nuclear marker which can be used on FNAC smears for staining of myoepithelial cells that appear as naked nuclei on cytological examination. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the expression of p63 in FNAC smears of breast lumps and to determine the predictive value of the p63 expression on FNAC smears for benign and malignant breast tumors. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Lahore General Hospital on 50 female patients with a breast lump. Smears were prepared and stained with H&E and p63 immunomarker. Association between histological diagnosis and p63 expression on FNAC was evaluated. Results: In this study of 50 cases of lump breast, 36% (18) cases showed <25% p63 + staining in their cells, 20% (10) cases showed 25-50% P63 + staining and 44% (22) cases showed >50% P63+ staining concluding 36% (18) cases were malignant (IDC) on P63 staining. Conclusion: It was concluded that the expression of p63 may be helpful in making a conclusive diagnosis on FNAC smear.