Volume 8, Issue 2 (Suppl)
J Cytol Histol, an open access journal
ISSN: 2157-7099
Cytopathology 2017
June 21-22, 2017
Page 24
conference
series
.com
June 21-22, 2017 Philadelphia, USA
3
rd
International Conference on
Cytopathology & Histopathology
Shahla Masood, J Cytol Histol 2017, 8:2 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7099-C1-010
Breast cancer prediction and early detection: The potential of cytomorphology and hTERT gene
DNA methylation
A
s a major public health problem, breast cancer remains as the second leading cause of cancer death among women across the
globe. Breast cancer is not only a physical illness with significant mortality and morbidity; it is also associated with remarkable
psychosocial impairments. The significance of the impact of breast cancer on women’s lives has resulted in worldwide effort to fight
against this disease. During the last several years, substantial progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of breast
cancer. In addition, discovery of new knowledge about the fundamental biology and genetic makeup of breast cancer has opened
up exciting opportunities for early breast cancer detection and prevention. Access to accurate diagnosis is the fundamental step in
receiving effective breast cancer treatment and influencing reduction in breast cancer mortality. However, themajor barriers to access
to diagnostic tools are cost, as well as the invasive nature of the surgical procedures that discourage patients from taking advantage
of the diagnostic capabilities. An alternative option is to use minimally invasive sampling procedures such as fine needle aspiration
biopsy (FNAB) and core needle biopsy (CNB) to obtain cellular/tissue samples for the evaluation ofmorphologic and biologic features
of a breast lesion. FNAB involves the insertion of a small needle, similar to the one used to draw blood, and, in contrast to CNB, is
considered to be the most cost-effective and atraumatic procedure that is easily tolerated by patients and that can provide a rapid,
bedside diagnosis. In addition, FNAB does not need anesthesia and there is minimal hemorrhage and discomfort to the patient.
FNAB and CNB share similar diagnostic limitations, as there are cases with features of entities such as atypical ductal hyperplasia,
low grade ductal carcinoma in situ, papillary, fibroepithelial and mucinous lesions that require follow-up surgical excision for the
establishment of an accurate diagnosis. To overcome this problem, we have developed a cytologic grading system and evaluated a
malignancy-associated biomarker, (DNAmethylation for
hTERT
) that has the potential to increase the diagnostic accuracy of breast
FNAB. This study is designed to use this cytologic grading system known as the “Masood Cytology Index” and DNAmethylation for
hTERT in 600 cases of breast FNAB archived at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine. The results of these tests will be compared with the available clinical follow-up of these patients and a
diagnostic/predictive index will be established. This index will be used as a reliable diagnostic tool for everyday practice of breast
pathology and a predictive risk factor for high-risk individuals to become aware of their risk for subsequent development of breast
cancer and to benefit from available breast cancer risk reduction modalities and prevention therapy. In the era of patient protection
and the Affordable Care Act, the results of this study will reinforce the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB and establish its role as the most
cost-effective sampling procedure. This access to diagnosis and therapy is the key to timely treatment and mortality reduction.
Biography
Shahla Masood is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology at University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville and Chief of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine at Shands Jacksonville. She is also the Director of the Pathology Residency Training Program as well as Cytopathology and Breast Pathology Fel-
lowship Training Program. In addition, she is the Medical Director of Shands Jacksonville Breast Health Center. As an internationally recognized expert in breast cancer
diagnosis and prognosis, she has fostered the concept of an integrated multidisciplinary approach in breast cancer care, research and education. She has recently been
appointed to Chair a Committee of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) with a new initiative to explore the possibility of expansion of this
program to an international level.
Shahla.Masood@jax.ufl.eduShahla Masood
University of Florida College of Medicine, USA