Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of core biopsy for breast lesions with fine needle aspiration cytology

ABSTRACT

To assess and compare the diagnostic usefulness of fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] of trucut biopsy of breast lesion. A comparative cross sectional study. The study was conducted in the surgical and pathology department of CMH Peshawar from February to August 2007. The first eighty two consenting female patients presenting with palpable breast lumps were subjected to FNAC then Trucut biopsy under local anaesthesia and later excision biopsy. Finally the results of FNAC and Trucut biopsy were compared in the light of excision biopsy results. There were 18 malignant and 64 benign cases on histopathology. On FNAC there were 5 in C5 category [confirmed on histopathology], 12 in C4 category [10 malignant on histopathology], 22 in C3 category [1 malignant on histopathology], 27 in C2 category [confirmed on histopathology] and 16 in C1 category [2 malignant on histopathology]. On Trucut 60 were benign and 17 malignant all of which were confirmed on histopathology. Five specimens were inadequate on Trucut [1 malignant on histopathology]. Sensitivities of FNAC and Trucut biopsy were 93.75-% and 100% and specificities were 96% and 100% respectively. Area under Receiver Operating Characteristic [ROC] curve for Trucut biopsy was found to be more than that of FNAC, showing that Trucut biopsy was more accurate than FNAC. Trucut biopsy has significantly higher diagnostic accuracy as compared to FNAC