Role of aspiration breast biopsy

Review of the results of 100 consecutive aspiration breast biopsies disclosed that this technique failed to identify 11 of the 33 breast cancers in the series; however, it identified 3 breast cancers that were not recognized by clinical examination. In one patient who had a fibroadenoma, suspicious cells were seen in the material sent for cytologic examination. It is concluded that a negative aspiration biopsy does not contraindicate tissue biopsy when the clinical findings suggest cancer. Aspiration biopsy can uncover clinically unsuspected cancers. When the lesion appears to be malignant on a clinical basis, aspiration biopsy can obviate formal biopsy. In this way time is saved for all those involved and the fashioning of the mastectomy flaps is facilitated.