Needle aspiration cytology of breast masses

Needle aspiration cytology has been reported to be a highly sensitive and specific method of evaluation of solid breast masses when used by a single individual or closely knit group of clinicians and cytopathologists. This report summarizes the experience in 86 patients in whom needle aspiration cytology and excisional biopsy of solid breast masses were performed. All clinical evaluations, including needle aspirations and excisional biopsies, were performed by surgical residents in the Breast Clinic of Grady Memorial Hospital. The cytologic and histologic interpretations were performed by members of the Department of Pathology without direct interaction with the patients. Of the entire group of 86 patients, 27 had cancer and 59 had benign breast disease. There were no false-positive findings and five (11.9%) false-negative findings. The sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration was 73.7 per cent and specificity 100 per cent. The results are compatible with previously reported studies and it is believed that needle aspiration cytology is an integral part of evaluation of breast masses.