Touch imprint cytology of core needle biopsy: An underused low-cost strategy for same-day breast cancer diagnosis in resource-limited settings

Abstract

Delays in breast cancer diagnosis remain a critical barrier to timely care in low-resource settings. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy, feasibility, and clinical impact of Touch Imprint Cytology (TIC) of core needle biopsies. TIC demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting malignancy, allowing same-day breast cancer diagnosis and earlier initiation of treatment decisions without the need for repeat visits. This easy-to-perform, frugal, innovative, pragmatic solution requires minimal resources, and can easily be integrated into existing diagnostic workflows in low-resource environments.