Diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] in the diagnosis of breast lumps

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lumps. All patients who underwent FNA breast lumps at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar during 2006 to 2008 were included in this descriptive crosssectional study. The FNA procedure was performed and interpreted by experienced cyto-pathologists. FNAC of 102 breast lumps were analysed. The age range of the patients was 15-80 years [mean 38.11 years]. Inadequate cases were 2.94%, malignant 30.39%, atypical/suspicious of malignancy 6.86%, and benign 59.80%. Malignant lesions predominated in the 5[th] and 6[th] and benign in the 3[rd] and 4[th] decades of life. FNAC of breast is simple, cost-effective and less traumatic method for diagnosis of breast lumps. Combined with physical examination and imaging studies, it is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool and can reduce the need for open biopsy