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

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.