Diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of breast lumps.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of line needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lumps. METHODS All patients who underwent FNA breast lumps at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar during 2006 to 2008 were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The FNA procedure was performed & interpreted by experienced cyto-pathologists. FNAC of 102 breast lumps were analysed. RESULTS 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 5th and 6th and benign in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. CONCLUSION 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.