Introduction: This study aimed to compare the cytology results obtained by the conventional smear method with those obtained by the liquid-based method for the diagnosis of palpable breast masses in women referred to the clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas city.
Methods: The research method was descriptive–cross-sectional. The research sample was selected based on purposive and availability sampling. Accordingly, 67 patients referred to the surgical clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in 2019-2020 were evaluated. The diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of conventional smear method and liquid-based method were compared.
Results: The diagnostic sensitivity of the conventional smear method was 88.4%, specificity 94.9%, positive predictive value 92%, and negative predictive value 92.5%. The diagnostic sensitivity of the liquid-based method was 84%, specificity 90%, positive predictive value 80.7%, and negative predictive value 90%.
Conclusion: Liquid-based method is better than conventional smear because of the ease of processing, faster screening, and preservation of cells and nuclear details. And it can be a promising and reliable method to diagnose palpable breast masses before surgery.