Aim: The study evaluates the AgNOR (Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Region) scores in the aspiration cytology smears of breast lesions to differentiate benign from malignant. Material and methods: A total of 100 cases who presented with palpable breast lump were subjected to FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology). AgNOR staining was done on all the smears to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Of the 100 cases, 72 cases were benign, 4 were borderline cases and 24 were malignant cases on FNAC. AgNOR stain was done on all the smears and the mean AgNOR count was calculated. Satistical Analysis: The collected data was analyzed by student ‘t’ test. The p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: On FNAC, the distribution of AgNORs in benign lesions were small, uniform, compact, 1–4 dots, central and peripherally placed and in malignant lesions they were small, medium and large, coarse, clumped and 1–8 dots. The mean AgNOR count in FNAC smears of benign lesions was 2.67 and of malignant lesions was 5.71, thus the mean AgNOR counts in malignant lesions were higher when compared to benign lesions on FNAC. The mean AgNOR count in HPE (Histopathological Examination) sections of benign lesion was 1.42 and of malignant lesions was 3.77. The observations revealed statistically significant results between benign and malignant lesions. Thus, AgNOR technique is simple, inexpensive and useful for evaluation of proliferative activity in breast lesions and can be used as an adjunct to FNAC to differentiate benign from malignant lesions of breast.

Keywords: AgNOR; Breast lesions; Aspiration cytology.