[Aspiration cytology in palpable breast changes of the breast. Too many specimens without cell material to examine]

During the first half of 1988, 927 fine needle aspiration cytology samples from palpable non-cystic breast lesions were examined in our laboratory. Among 582 aspirations performed by members of the laboratory medical staff the frequency of technically non-diagnostic specimens was 4.3 per cent, as against 34.2 per cent among 345 referred specimens. In the latter group there was a clear relationship between the frequency of inadequate specimens and experience in aspiration technique as judged from the number of referred specimens from the individual clinician. It is concluded that education and training in aspiration technique is needed to improve the quality of this diagnostic method.