{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T09:11:07Z","timestamp":1792660267626,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]],"date-time":"2020-11-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1604966400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]],"date-time":"2020-11-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1604966400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Women's Health"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,12]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, relatively accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective method of diagnosing most breast pathologies. To date, there is no sufficient data depicting the distribution of breast lesions detected by fine needle aspiration cytology in our healthcare setting. The aim of this study was to elucidate the general distribution of breast lesions diagnosed by cytology test at Eritrean National Health Laboratory.\n<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This retrospective study was carried out on 905 symptomatic patients between the years 2013 and 2017 at Eritrean National Health Laboratory. Diagnosis was made by fine needle aspiration cytology in patients with palpable breast lump and in some patients direct smear was prepared from a nipple discharge. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A total of 905 patients were included in the study, of whom 871 (96.24%) were females. The age range of patients was from 13 to 93\u00a0years with mean and standard deviation of 33\u2009\u00b1\u200914.9\u00a0years. Breast lump, occurring in 892 (98.56%), was the most frequent presenting symptom. Fibroadenoma and fibrocystic breast lesions were the most prevalent lesions accounting for approximately 40% and 15%, respectively. Malignant breast lesions were seen predominantly in females above the age of 40\u00a0years with the highest frequency observed in the age range between 51 and 60\u00a0years. Pearson Chi-squared test showed significant association between patients\u2019 age above 40\u00a0years and the risk of having a malignant breast lesion (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001). The highest number of benign and malignant breast lesions was documented in 2014 with little fluctuation elsewhere in the study period.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Fine needle aspiration cytology is a procedure of choice for preoperative diagnosis in breast lesions mainly in a resource-limited settings. Our study identified the occurrence of malignant breast lesions in young women, which is of a paramount public health concern. Of note, significant proportion of patients were late to seek medical attention. Therefore, enhancement of community awareness regarding breast disease and implementation of screening programs are necessary to ameliorate the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]],"date-time":"2020-11-10T10:02:59Z","timestamp":1605002579000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Distribution of breast lesions diagnosed by cytology examination in symptomatic patients at Eritrean National Health Laboratory, Asmara, Eritrea: a retrospective study"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"20","author":[{"given":"Kidane Siele","family":"Embaye","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saud Mohammed","family":"Raja","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Medhanie Haile","family":"Gebreyesus","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Matiwos Araya","family":"Ghebrehiwet","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"1116_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"010419","DOI":"10.7189\/jogh.08.010419","volume":"8","author":"D Adeloye","year":"2018","unstructured":"Adeloye D, et al. Estimating the incidence of breast cancer in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2018;8(1):010419.","journal-title":"J Glob Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"1116_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1186\/s40659-017-0140-9","volume":"50","author":"M Akram","year":"2017","unstructured":"Akram M, et al. Awareness and current knowledge of breast cancer. Biol Res. 2017;50(1):33.","journal-title":"Biol Res"},{"issue":"12","key":"1116_CR3","first-page":"2777","volume":"7","author":"SI Panjvani","year":"2013","unstructured":"Panjvani SI, et al. Utility of fine needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of breast lesions. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013;7(12):2777\u20139.","journal-title":"J Clin Diagn Res"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR4","first-page":"343","volume":"86","author":"B Salzman","year":"2012","unstructured":"Salzman B, Fleegle S, Tully AS. Common breast problems. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(4):343\u20139.","journal-title":"Am Fam Physician"},{"key":"1116_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-015-0278-y","volume":"15","author":"KM Nkonge","year":"2015","unstructured":"Nkonge KM, et al. Cytological evaluation of breast lesions in symptomatic patients presenting to Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya: a retrospective study. BMC Womens Health. 2015;15:118.","journal-title":"BMC Womens Health"},{"issue":"5","key":"1116_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.20510\/ukjpb\/4\/i5\/118035","volume":"4","author":"H Adom","year":"2016","unstructured":"Adom H, et al. Trends in the Incidence of Cancer in Eritrean Hospitals and Eritrean National HealthLaboratory 2000\u20132010. UK J Pharm Biosci. 2016;4(5):47\u201355.","journal-title":"UK J Pharm Biosci"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.4103\/0971-5851.138993","volume":"35","author":"SB Sankaye","year":"2014","unstructured":"Sankaye SB, Dongre SD. Cytological study of palpable breast lumps presenting in an Indian rural setup. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2014;35(2):159\u201364.","journal-title":"Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol"},{"issue":"3","key":"1116_CR8","first-page":"101","volume":"47","author":"EK Brakohiapa","year":"2013","unstructured":"Brakohiapa EK, et al. Pattern of breast diseases in Accra: review of mammography reports. Ghana Med J. 2013;47(3):101\u20136.","journal-title":"Ghana Med J"},{"issue":"6","key":"1116_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1528","DOI":"10.1007\/s00268-017-3906-x","volume":"41","author":"M Kazi","year":"2017","unstructured":"Kazi M, et al. Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in breast cancer: a reappraisal based on retrospective review of 698 cases. World J Surg. 2017;41(6):1528\u201333.","journal-title":"World J Surg"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.4103\/0300-1652.182078","volume":"57","author":"AF Kocaay","year":"2016","unstructured":"Kocaay AF, et al. The role of fine needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy in the diagnosis of palpable breast masses. Niger Med J. 2016;57(2):77\u201380.","journal-title":"Niger Med J"},{"key":"1116_CR11","first-page":"547580","volume":"2011","author":"P Mendoza","year":"2011","unstructured":"Mendoza P, et al. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast: the nonmalignant categories. Patholog Res Int. 2011;2011:547580.","journal-title":"Patholog Res Int"},{"key":"1116_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2407-12-41","volume":"12","author":"YH Yu","year":"2012","unstructured":"Yu YH, Wei W, Liu JL. Diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy for breast mass: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer. 2012;12:41.","journal-title":"BMC Cancer"},{"key":"1116_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abati A. The uniform approach to breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy. National Cancer Institute Fine-Needle Aspiration of Breast Workshop Subcommittees. Diagn Cytopathol. 1997;16(4): 295\u201311.","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0339(1997)16:4<295::AID-DC1>3.0.CO;2-D"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1159\/000331604","volume":"42","author":"HH Wang","year":"1998","unstructured":"Wang HH, Ducatman BS. Fine needle aspiration of the breast: a probabilistic approach to diagnosis of carcinoma. Acta Cytol. 1998;42(2):285\u20139.","journal-title":"Acta Cytol"},{"issue":"1","key":"1116_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1159\/000450880","volume":"61","author":"AS Field","year":"2017","unstructured":"Field AS, Schmitt F, Vielh P. IAC standardized reporting of breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology. Acta Cytol. 2017;61(1):3\u20136.","journal-title":"Acta Cytol"},{"issue":"1","key":"1116_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1007\/s00428-015-1834-4","volume":"468","author":"DW Ellis","year":"2016","unstructured":"Ellis DW, Srigley J. Does standardised structured reporting contribute to quality in diagnostic pathology? The importance of evidence-based datasets. Virchows Arch. 2016;468(1):51\u20139.","journal-title":"Virchows Arch"},{"key":"1116_CR17","first-page":"274","volume":"63","author":"D Montezuma","year":"2019","unstructured":"Montezuma D, Malheiros D, Schmitt FC. Breast fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology using the newly proposed IAC Yokohama System for reporting breast cytopathology: the experience of a single institution. ActaCytol. 2019;63:274\u20139.","journal-title":"ActaCytol"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"280","DOI":"10.1159\/000500191","volume":"63","author":"S Wong","year":"2019","unstructured":"Wong S, et al. The international academy of cytology yokohama system for reporting breast fine needle aspiration biopsy cytopathology: a single institutional retrospective study of the application of the system categories and the impact of rapid onsite evaluation. Acta Cytol. 2019;63(4):280\u201391.","journal-title":"Acta Cytol"},{"key":"1116_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1186\/1746-1596-8-77","volume":"8","author":"HM Aslam","year":"2013","unstructured":"Aslam HM, et al. Clinico- pathological profile of patients with breast diseases. Diagn Pathol. 2013;8:77.","journal-title":"Diagn Pathol"},{"issue":"6","key":"1116_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"372","DOI":"10.1159\/000441818","volume":"10","author":"L Fan","year":"2015","unstructured":"Fan L, Goss PE, Strasser-Weippl K. Current status and future projections of breast cancer in Asia. Breast Care (Basel). 2015;10(6):372\u20138.","journal-title":"Breast Care (Basel)"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"505","DOI":"10.1001\/jamaoncol.2015.0735","volume":"1","author":"C Fitzmaurice","year":"2015","unstructured":"Fitzmaurice C, et al. The global burden of cancer 2013. JAMA Oncol. 2015;1(4):505\u201327.","journal-title":"JAMA Oncol"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.4103\/0300-1652.93790","volume":"52","author":"A Olu-Eddo","year":"2011","unstructured":"Olu-Eddo A, Ugiagbe EE. Benign breast lesions in an African population: a 25-year histopathological review of 1864 cases. Niger Med J J Niger Med Assoc. 2011;52(4):211.","journal-title":"Niger Med J J Niger Med Assoc"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR23","first-page":"147","volume":"87","author":"ES Otieno","year":"2010","unstructured":"Otieno ES, et al. Delayed presentation of breast cancer patients. East Afr Med J. 2010;87(4):147\u201350.","journal-title":"East Afr Med J"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.4103\/njs.NJS_29_17","volume":"24","author":"CC Nwafor","year":"2018","unstructured":"Nwafor CC, Udo IA. Histological characteristics of breast lesions in Uyo. Nigeria Niger J Surg. 2018;24(2):76\u201381.","journal-title":"Nigeria Niger J Surg"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR25","first-page":"72","volume":"41","author":"J Clegg-Lamptey","year":"2007","unstructured":"Clegg-Lamptey J, Hodasi W. A study of breast cancer in korle bu teaching hospital: assessing the impact of health education. Ghana Med J. 2007;41(2):72\u20137.","journal-title":"Ghana Med J"},{"issue":"6","key":"1116_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1525","DOI":"10.1111\/hsc.12823","volume":"27","author":"G Coutinho Medeiros","year":"2019","unstructured":"Coutinho Medeiros G, Santos Thuler LC, Bergmann A. Factors influencing delay in symptomatic presentation of breast cancer in Brazilian women. Health Soc Care Commun. 2019;27(6):1525\u201333.","journal-title":"Health Soc Care Commun"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"292","DOI":"10.1159\/000500704","volume":"63","author":"RS Hoda","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hoda RS, Brachtel EF. International Academy of Cytology Yokohama System for reporting breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytopathology: a review of predictive values and risks of malignancy. Acta Cytol. 2019;63(4):292\u2013301.","journal-title":"Acta Cytol"},{"issue":"4","key":"1116_CR28","first-page":"623","volume":"10","author":"S Nguansangiam","year":"2009","unstructured":"Nguansangiam S, Jesdapatarakul S, Tangjitgamol S. Accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology from breast masses in Thailand. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2009;10(4):623\u20136.","journal-title":"Asian Pac J Cancer Prev"},{"key":"1116_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"742573","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/742573","volume":"2015","author":"AO Daramola","year":"2015","unstructured":"Daramola AO, et al. Correlation between fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology for palpable breast masses in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution. Int J Breast Cancer. 2015;2015:742573.","journal-title":"Int J Breast Cancer"},{"issue":"3","key":"1116_CR30","first-page":"208","volume":"13","author":"S Pudasaini","year":"2011","unstructured":"Pudasaini S, Talwar OP. Study of fine needle aspiration cytology of breast lumps and its histopathological correlation in Pokhara Valley. Nepal Med Coll J. 2011;13(3):208\u201312.","journal-title":"Nepal Med Coll J"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR31","first-page":"110","volume":"22","author":"AA Jamal","year":"2001","unstructured":"Jamal AA. Pattern of breast diseases in a teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2001;22(2):110\u20133.","journal-title":"Saudi Med J"},{"key":"1116_CR32","first-page":"419","volume":"7","author":"C Reyna","year":"2014","unstructured":"Reyna C, Lee MC. Breast cancer in young women: special considerations in multidisciplinary care. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2014;7:419\u201329.","journal-title":"J Multidiscip Healthc"},{"issue":"22","key":"1116_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1584","DOI":"10.1093\/jnci\/djp358","volume":"101","author":"M Pollan","year":"2009","unstructured":"Pollan M, et al. Recent changes in breast cancer incidence in Spain, 1980\u20132004. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2009;101(22):1584\u201391.","journal-title":"J Natl Cancer Inst"},{"issue":"Suppl 1","key":"1116_CR34","first-page":"S2","volume":"5","author":"HA Assi","year":"2013","unstructured":"Assi HA, et al. Epidemiology and prognosis of breast cancer in young women. J Thorac Dis. 2013;5(Suppl 1):S2-8.","journal-title":"J Thorac Dis"},{"issue":"10","key":"1116_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1974","DOI":"10.1093\/annonc\/mdq072","volume":"21","author":"G Cancello","year":"2010","unstructured":"Cancello G, et al. Prognosis and adjuvant treatment effects in selected breast cancer subtypes of very young women (<35 years) with operable breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2010;21(10):1974\u201381.","journal-title":"Ann Oncol"},{"issue":"11","key":"1116_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e7695","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0007695","volume":"4","author":"H Fredholm","year":"2009","unstructured":"Fredholm H, et al. Breast cancer in young women: poor survival despite intensive treatment. PLoS ONE. 2009;4(11):e7695.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"issue":"1","key":"1116_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/0360-3016(94)90515-0","volume":"30","author":"BL Fowble","year":"1994","unstructured":"Fowble BL, et al. The influence of young age on outcome in early stage breast cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1994;30(1):23\u201333.","journal-title":"Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys"},{"issue":"6","key":"1116_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1688","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2001.19.6.1688","volume":"19","author":"AC Voogd","year":"2001","unstructured":"Voogd AC, et al. Differences in risk factors for local and distant recurrence after breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy for stage I and II breast cancer: pooled results of two large European randomized trials. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19(6):1688\u201397.","journal-title":"J Clin Oncol"},{"issue":"3","key":"1116_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1097\/SPC.0000000000000152","volume":"9","author":"S Paluch-Shimon","year":"2015","unstructured":"Paluch-Shimon S, Warner E. Breast cancer in young women: challenges, progress, and barriers. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2015;9(3):268\u201370.","journal-title":"Curr Opin Support Palliat Care"},{"issue":"2","key":"1116_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"R55","DOI":"10.1186\/bcr3156","volume":"14","author":"TH Keegan","year":"2012","unstructured":"Keegan TH, et al. Occurrence of breast cancer subtypes in adolescent and young adult women. Breast Cancer Res. 2012;14(2):R55.","journal-title":"Breast Cancer Res"},{"issue":"5","key":"1116_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"386","DOI":"10.1093\/jnci\/djr541","volume":"104","author":"J Howard-Anderson","year":"2012","unstructured":"Howard-Anderson J, et al. Quality of life, fertility concerns, and behavioral health outcomes in younger breast cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012;104(5):386\u2013405.","journal-title":"J Natl Cancer Inst"}],"container-title":["BMC Women's Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]],"date-time":"2020-11-10T10:03:45Z","timestamp":1605002625000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]]},"references-count":41,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,12]]}},"alternative-id":["1116"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12905-020-01116-0","relation":{},"ISSN":["1472-6874"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1472-6874","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,10]]},"assertion":[{"value":"30 July 2019","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"3 November 2020","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"10 November 2020","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The study obtained legal permission from Orotta School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Ministry of Health for health research proposal review and ethical committee, Asmara, Eritrea (Ref: OSM 29\/290\/18).","order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethical approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare that they have no competing interests.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"250"}}