The association of breast disease and atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to determine whether an association exists between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on cervical cytology and breast disease.

METHODS: We analyzed 470,147 Papanicolaou test results from January 1, 2002, to November 17, 2008, inclusive. We studied all cases of AGC versus a control group with normal Papanicolaou test results. The database was then searched to determine which of these women had a history of breast disease. A comparison of the prevalence of breast disease between the two groups was performed.

RESULTS: Of the 470,147 total Papanicolaou tests, 1,087 cases of AGC (0.23%) were identified from 1,026 women. There were 1,064 women comprising the normal population. The mean ± SD age of these two groups was 44.9 ± 13.7 and 41.6 ± 14.4 years, respectively. Among the women with an AGC on Papanicolaou testing, 40 (3.9%) had breast disease compared with 21 (2.0%) among those without an AGC on Papanicolaou testing (P = 0.009). Among the 40 women with an AGC on their Papanicolaou test and breast disease, 7 (17.5%) also had a concerning gynecologic (Gyn) pathologic finding at the level of the cervix, endocervix, or uterus. In comparison, the women with normal Papanicolaou test results had no Gyn pathologic findings.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of an abnormal Gyn pathologic finding in those with AGC is consistent with prior data. Women from this data set who have an AGC on Papanicolaou testing have a statistically higher likelihood of having concurrent breast disease. Further data are needed to elucidate the reason for this association.

Publication Title

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)

Volume

18

Issue

1

First Page

67

Last Page

72

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