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 reporting of 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, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from 1st January 2008 to 31st October 2008. Fifty consecutive breast carcinoma reports received for review from different laboratories were analyzed for documentation of patients age, 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 of these above mentioned variables in different reports, keeping in mind the possible information that could be obtained from a particular sample. RESULTS It was found that the variable least mentioned in the reports was in situ component commented upon in only 23.2% of reports. Necrosis was mentioned in 35% of reports. Tabular format was found in 36% of reports only. CONCLUSION Marked deficiencies are seen in histopathology reports for breast carcinoma due to the lack of any standardized reporting system. Separate checklist formats for trucut biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies should be introduced to ensure uniform reporting.