Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of breast lumps.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to find out the common causes of breast lump and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC of breast lump. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of FNAC of breast done in pathology department of NMCTH from January 2003 to December 2005. FNAC findings were correlated with data from histopathology records to determine the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC. RESULTS: FNAC of breast constituted 16% of all the FNACs. Age group of the patients ranged from 17 to 56 years with mean of 32 years. Fibroadenoma was the most common diagnosis. Malignancy was diagnosed in only 6.6% of the cases. Histological correlation was done in 21 cases. Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC of breast was found to be 83.3% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSION: FNAC of breast is simple, cost effective and less traumatic method for diagnosis of breast lump. It is highly sensitive and specific also, and can reduce the needs for open biopsies. So FNAC should be used as a routine method for determining the nature of breast lumps.