Abstract

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology (FNA) for diagnosis of a variety of breast tumors has been proven to be a simple, sate, and cost saving diagnostic methodology with high accuracy. Cytologic specimens from 1,029 fine needle aspirations of the breast during last 3-year period were reviewed and subsequent biopsies from 107 breast lesions were reevaluated for cytohistological correlation. FNA had a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 98.3%. One out of 107 cases biopsied revealed a false positive result (0.9%) and the case was due to misinterpretation of apocrine metaplastic cells in necrotic background as malignant cells. A false negative rate was 8.4% (9 of 107 cases biopsied). Six of 9 false negative cases were resulted from insufficient aspirates for diagnosis, and remaining three of 9 false negative cases revealed extensive necrosis with no or scanty viable cells on smears. The results indicate that for reducing false positive and false negative rates of FNA, an experienced cytopathologist and a proficient aspirator are of great importance.

• Keywords: Breast tumor;Fine needle aspiration cytology;Accuracy;