EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST LESIONS AND CORRELATION WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

Introduction : Breast carcinoma is one of the most common carcinomas among the women. FNAC is part of a TRIPLE APPROACH for the diagnosis of breast lumps:a) Clinical examination, b) Imaging and c) Biopsy (FNAC and Core biopsy).FNAC is considered as valuable diagnostic techniques because of its simplicity, reliability, cost- effectivity and with minimal complications. Aims and Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of breast lesions in correlation with histopathological findings. Material and Methedology : This is retrospective study for a period of one year of all the cases of breast lesions that were referred to pathology department for FNAC and These patients were subjected to Excisional biopsy/Incisional biopsy/Mastectomy.   Result : In duration of 1 year of study, we received total 76 cases with complaint of breast lump. The frequency of benign breast lesions were higher in the range of 20-40 years and the frequency of malignant lesions were higher among the age group of 41-60 years. Out of 76 cases, 40 (52.6%) cases were of Fibroadenoma, 2 (2.6%) cases were of Abscess, 2 (2.6%) cases were of Fibrocystic disease, 2 (2.6%) cases were of lactating adenoma and 30 (39.5%) cases were of malignant lesion. Among total of 76 cases, 46 cases were non-malingant and 30 cases were malignant on cytological examination. 46 non-malignant cases diagnosed on FNAC were correlated with histopathology examination. 2 false negative cases were reported which were diagnosed as benign breast lesions turned out be malignant on histopathological examination. Out of 30 diagnosed malignant lesions on FNAC, all were consistent with histopathology examination. In our study, Incidence of Benign breast lesions is 57.9% and Malignant breast lesions is 39.5% respectively. Conclusion : Our study states that reporting and findings of FNAC were closely correlated with the histopathological diagnosis in accordance to NCI guidelines. FNAC has significant diagnostic value in differentiating the breast lumps for further operative management.Awareness of breast cancer is must and much needed in developing country like India which can be achieved by proper education, prevention, early detection and proper management of breast lesions.