Abstract
Although the diagnostic criteria for histological grading in breast cancer have been improved by the introduction of the Nottingham/Tenovus classification, good results in terms of reproducibility are hard to obtain. The objective of this study was to validate a methodological protocol for external quality control. We assessed the intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility for grading score and its components. Our findings revealed a less than optimal level of agreement for both intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility. Each grading class contributed in a different way to the reproducibility and class G2 provided the poorest contribution to the observed agreement. Nuclear pleomorphism appeared to be the least reproducible, followed by mitotic count and tubule formation. In conclusion, our results suggest the need for quality control programs that should be conceived as a dynamic feedback process to better understand the reasons for some unsatisfactory performances and to implement the necessary corrective actions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Pathologica |
| Volume | 97 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2005 |
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Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Histological grading
- Interobserver reproducibility
- Intraobserver reproducibility
- Quality control
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Cite this
Quality control for histological grading in breast cancer : An italian experience. / Cortese, M. E.; Marubini, E.; Paradiso, A.; Rosai, J.; Saragoni, L.; Verderio, Paolo; Aldi, M.; Andreini, L.; Bianchi, S.; Cossu Rocca, P.; De Rosa, G.; Giardina, C.; Lanzanova, G.; Marandino, F.; Marzullo, F.; Nuzzo, F.; Ravarino, N.; Ricci, M.; Zito, A.
In: Pathologica, Vol. 97, No. 1, 02.2005, p. 1-6.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality control for histological grading in breast cancer
T2 - An italian experience
AU - Cortese, M. E.
AU - Marubini, E.
AU - Paradiso, A.
AU - Rosai, J.
AU - Saragoni, L.
AU - Verderio, Paolo
AU - Aldi, M.
AU - Andreini, L.
AU - Bianchi, S.
AU - Cossu Rocca, P.
AU - De Rosa, G.
AU - Giardina, C.
AU - Lanzanova, G.
AU - Marandino, F.
AU - Marzullo, F.
AU - Nuzzo, F.
AU - Ravarino, N.
AU - Ricci, M.
AU - Zito, A.
PY - 2005/2
Y1 - 2005/2
N2 - Although the diagnostic criteria for histological grading in breast cancer have been improved by the introduction of the Nottingham/Tenovus classification, good results in terms of reproducibility are hard to obtain. The objective of this study was to validate a methodological protocol for external quality control. We assessed the intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility for grading score and its components. Our findings revealed a less than optimal level of agreement for both intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility. Each grading class contributed in a different way to the reproducibility and class G2 provided the poorest contribution to the observed agreement. Nuclear pleomorphism appeared to be the least reproducible, followed by mitotic count and tubule formation. In conclusion, our results suggest the need for quality control programs that should be conceived as a dynamic feedback process to better understand the reasons for some unsatisfactory performances and to implement the necessary corrective actions.
AB - Although the diagnostic criteria for histological grading in breast cancer have been improved by the introduction of the Nottingham/Tenovus classification, good results in terms of reproducibility are hard to obtain. The objective of this study was to validate a methodological protocol for external quality control. We assessed the intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility for grading score and its components. Our findings revealed a less than optimal level of agreement for both intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility. Each grading class contributed in a different way to the reproducibility and class G2 provided the poorest contribution to the observed agreement. Nuclear pleomorphism appeared to be the least reproducible, followed by mitotic count and tubule formation. In conclusion, our results suggest the need for quality control programs that should be conceived as a dynamic feedback process to better understand the reasons for some unsatisfactory performances and to implement the necessary corrective actions.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Histological grading
KW - Interobserver reproducibility
KW - Intraobserver reproducibility
KW - Quality control
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=20444410372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=20444410372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 15918409
AN - SCOPUS:20444410372
VL - 97
SP - 1
EP - 6
JO - Pathologica
JF - Pathologica
SN - 0031-2983
IS - 1
ER -