Cytological study of palpable breast lumps presenting in an Indian rural setup

Abstract

Introduction:Benign as well as malignant breast lesions are quite common in Indian population. It is the second most common cancer site after cancer cervix. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is safe, reliable, and time saving outdoor procedure with little discomfort to the patient. FNAC is useful in diagnosis and further planning of treatment without need for biopsy. The current study was carried out with aims of studying the frequency of various breast lesions on FNAC in a rural area in India and its histopathological correlation.Materials and Methods:This was 2 years prospective study carried out from May 2010 to April 2012. Physical examination of breast mass by palpation was done. Smears were stained with May-Grunwald Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain.Results:Of the 225 cases, 131 were in the benign category and 65 belonged to the malignant category, while the cytology study of 13 cases was unsatisfactory. Seventy-six cases were available for histological correlation. Of 29 cytological benign cases, 26 were confirmed as benign, but 3 turned out to be malignant. Out of 36 cytological malignant cases, 35 were confirmed as malignant. FNAC was 88.37% sensitive and 96.42% specific in diagnosing malignant lesions.Conclusion:Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a rapid and effective method for the primary categorization of palpable breast lumps into benign, malignant, atypical, suspicious, and unsatisfactory categories. Benign breast lesions are common than malignant lesions. Histological correlation indicated FNAC to be a good diagnostic tool.

Cytomorphological study of palpable breast lumps

“…Breast lump as a clinical presentation was found more common in female (n=751; 97.41%) and male accounted for 20 cases (2.59%) only similar to the study done by Ahmed Omer Almobarak AO et al (Female: 94.86% and male: 5.24%). 9 Most of the breast lumps were neoplastic in origin (n=747; 84.14%) which was similar to the study conducted by Sankaye, SB et al 8 Benign cases was more common than malignant ones which was congruent to the study done by Ahmed Omer Almobarak AO et al and Shah SA et al 7,9 Fibroadenoma and fibrocystic changes were the most common benign lesion observed in this study similar to that found by Ahmed Omer Almobarak AO et al 9 Malignant cases accounted for 36 cases (4.7%) only, which was in contrast to the study done by Ahmed Omer Almobarak AO et al (248/759 cases; 32.67%). 9 Ductal carcinoma was the most common type of malignant breast lesion (30/ 36 cases; 83.33%) which was also found by Pudasaini S et al 10 The peak age group for the breast lumps was 20-40 years.…”

“…Cytological study has further many advantages including easiness, cost effectiveness and accuracy. [6][7][8] Furthermore, cytological study has been well tolerated among individual as it gives early detection and treatment option. Breast lump as a clinical presentation was found more common in female (n=751; 97.41%) and male accounted for 20 cases (2.59%) only similar to the study done by Ahmed Omer Almobarak AO et al (Female: 94.86% and male: 5.24%).…”

Analysing false negatives and false positives in cytopathology of breast masses along with cytohistopathological correlation

“…Similar findings were also present in other studies. [10][11][12][13][14] In males the most common diagnosis was fibroadenoma with one case of ductal carcinoma (Table 4).…”

Evaluation of Breast Lump by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

“…Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a rapid and effective method for the primary categorization of palpable breast lumps into benign, malignant, atypical, suspicious, and unsatisfactory categories 6 . The most significant advantage of FNAC is the high degree of accuracy, rapid results, and a less invasive procedure than a tissue biopsy 7 .…”