FNAC of breast: An institutional experience

Abstract

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology is fast becoming preoperative method of choice for diagnosis and management of various breast lesions since few decades. It is one of the component of triple test done for preoperative diagnosis of breast lump along with clinical examination and mammography. It helps clinician to decide mode of treatment in most cases in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic disorders. The aim of our study was to assess utility of FNAC in the diagnosis and management of breast lesions, age and sex distribution of these lesions and to find out the various cytomorphological patterns of breast lumps. Materials and Methods: The present study was done during the period between December 2015 and March 2018 in the department of pathology (central clinical laboratory), Koppal Institute of medical sciences, Koppal. 10ml syringe and 23/24 gauge needles were used for the procedure. Material obtained was expressed on slide and smears were made by standard smearing technique. Both wet and air dried smears were made. Wet smears were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain and dry smears with Lieshman stain and Giemsa stain. Results: We assessed 103 cases with 106 lesions of breast. We got satisfactory aspirate in most cases. Fibroadenoma (49%) was the most common lesion. Metastatic carcinomas were common after 30yrs age group. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration is simple, rapid and cost effective method for preoperative assessment of breast lumps. Fibroadenoma is the most common breast lesion and most common tumor. It significantly reduced unnecessary surgical biopsy for diagnosis of breast lump in our study. Keywords: FNAC, Breast.