Cell block versus fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lesions

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an outpatient simple procedure, which gives a quick cytological diagnosis for breast lesions. Cell blocks prepared from the aspirated material of these breast lumps not only serve as useful adjunct to FNAC, but also give tissue diagnosis comparable to breast biopsies. Aims and Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the utility of cell block technique in diagnosing various breast lesions in correlation with FNAC findings. Subsequent histopathology diagnosis was obtained and compared with cytological diagnosis wherever possible. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was done for a period of 2 years. A total of 130 cases of breast lumps were studied with both FNAC and cell block techniques. The cell block findings were then correlated with FNAC diagnosis and statistically analyzed. Histopathology findings of subsequent biopsy or excision specimen of breast lumps were obtained wherever possible. Results: Out of the total 130 cases, most of the cases were benign lesions (58%), with fibroadenoma being the most common (97%). Among malignant tumors, invasive mammary carcinoma of no special type was the most common type (94.7%). Cell blocks were more accurate (88.8%) compared to FNAC (69.2%) in diagnosing both benign and malignant lesions. Conclusion: Cell block method is superior to FNAC in the diagnosis of both benign and malignant tumors of the breast and helps to eliminate the need for invasive breast biopsies