ABSTRACT
Fine needle aspiration [FNA] as a cytological method for the evaluation of breast masses was first performed in 1930, and of present is used as a routine method for the evaluation of breast masses. Aspiration via fine needle as a diagnostic tool is easy, accessible and relatively non - invasive. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of this method and its comparison with open biopsy in determining the nature of breast masses. This prospective study included 62 females with palpable breast masses who were candidates for breast biopsy. Mean age was 43.7 +/- 14.3 years [16-68 years]. All patients had palpable breast masses and underwent FNA prior to conventional open breast biopsy Excised tissues and FNA samples were studied by a pathologist who was blinded to the patient's name and her medical history. According to histopathological exam, there were 40 [64.5%] benign and 22 [35.5%] malignant. Incidence of malignancy was higher in the larger masses. When FNA reports were compared with final histopathology reports, there was one false negative and one false positive report. Positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV] were 95.5% and 96.7% respectively. This study demonstrates that FNA is safe and accurate diagnostic procedure in evaluation and diagnosis of breast masses. We recommend it to be used as the initial diagnostic test for all palpable breast masses. To avoid any misdiagnosis, open biopsy should be performed when needle aspiration is negative or the masses are clinically suspicious for malignancy