A comparative study of FNAC breast lesions and BI-RADS grading with a focus on grade 4 and grade 5 categories

Breast carcinoma is showing an increasing trend amongst urban women population. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a widely accepted risk assessment procedure for carcinoma breast in clinical practice. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an established and important preoperative diagnostic modality. We have done a two year comparative study of these two procedures in the department of Pathology, at Gandhi Hospital from June 2014 to May 2016. We have done 720 FNACs for breast lesions during this period and compared the results with BI-RADS classification by mammography / ultrasound screening at the department of radiology, Gandhi Hospital. Out of total 720 patients who underwent FNAC, BI-RADS grading was available for only 540 cases. Cytological patterns were compared with BI-RADS grading for these 540 cases. The Concordance and Discordance among these findings are discussed with special emphasis on grade 4 and Grade 5 BI-RADS lesions in which carcinoma breast risk is high.