Fine needle aspiration study of non neoplastic and neoplastic breast lesions

Introduction: The role of FNA cytology is widely accepted as a reliable technique in the evaluation breast lumps. Objectives: To study the cytology of lesions of the breast and its histopathological correlation where ever necessary and to have clinico-pathological correlation with respect to age and clinical features. Materials and Methods: Two year prospective study, includes 110 Patients presenting with breast lumps. Results: Maximum of 41 cases (38%) were in the age group 31-40 years. Left breast was more commonly involved with 60 cases (56%). The most common presenting symptom was a Palpable mass seen in all 108 patients. The aspirate was adequate in 108 cases (98.1%). The non neoplastic lesions accounted to 31 cases (28%). The benign conditions comprised of 59 cases (77%) and the malignant conditions comprised of 18 cases that included duct carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, Medullary carcinoma and 2 Suspicious. The 2 Suspicious cases were confirmed as malignant on histopathology. Maximum number of cases in the Non neoplastic category was seen in 21-30 years age group and the minimum was seen in the 11-20.The maximum number of cases in the Neoplastic category was seen in the 31-40 year age group with 27 cases and the minimum in the 51-60 and 61-70 year age group with three cases each. Conclusion: FNAC on breast lumps offers many advantages to clinicians and pathologists as it is an easy and reliable method of establishing the diagnosis of various breast lesions from inflammatory to non neoplastic to malignant conditions.