[Cytological diagnosis of the breast. Aspiration technics]

Over the past twenty years the use of fine needle aspiration techniques in breast cancer has spread worldwide, becoming a routine examination in the early phase of the study of palpable breast nodules. In this paper, the Authors review the state-of-the-art of fine needle aspiration, illustrating the most common methods and the various modifications made by operators. A new type of metal handle is also described which facilitates the collection of cells for cytological tests. Previously reported studies show that operators must be trained and supplied with suitable instruments in order to obtain valid results and to minimise the number of false positives and false negatives. There are very few complications to fine needle aspiration and none are severe, with the exception of pneumothorax which however has a frequency of under 3%. The majority of Authors agree that there should be more collaboration between the clinician and the anatomopathologist in order to increase the reliability of the technique. Fears of spreading cancer along the path of the needle have been dispelled following clinical experience over time. The survival of patients with breast cancer undergoing fine needle aspiration in the diagnostic phase does not differ from that in other patients.