O exame citopatológico como ferramenta para o diagnóstico do câncer de mama: análise dos resultados no âmbito nacional, estadual e do município de Governador Valadares-MG

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in women, excluding non- melanoma skin cancers, and the cytopathological examination provides an accurate initial diagnosis owing to its high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of the results of breast cytopathological examinations carried out at national and state levels, based on data recorded in the Cancer Information System (SISCAN), and contextualize with data obtained for the municipality of Governador Valadares, to determine the rate of examinations with benign and malignant changes in the three spheres. An observational, retrospective study was developed on the cytopathological examinations performed in Brazil (BR), Minas Gerais (MG) and Governador Valadares (GV), from January 2013 to December 2020. Benign changes were identified in 55.3% (BR), 47.9% (MG) and 62.2% (GV) of the total number of exams, with a significantly higher rate in GV. The positive results for malignancy also had significantly higher rates in GV, totaling 2.2%, 3.2% and 6.8% for the country, state and municipality, respectively, and were more frequent in patients aged 45-49 years (BR), 45-54 years (MG) and 70-74 years (GV), outside the indicated age range for screening mammography. The main malignant change observed in all spheres was ductal carcinoma, which is in agreement with the literature. The examinations performed in GV revealed some significant differences in relation to the other spheres. The findings of this study can help the competent authorities to establish priorities and strategies to improve early detection and prognosis of patients.