Needle aspiration of the breast with immediate reporting of material.
Needle aspiration with immediate cytological reporting has been practised in a breast clinic for one year. Patients benefit by receiving immediately the provisional diagnosis and, when indicated, appointments for metastatic surveys. Close co-operation between surgeon and cytologist has resulted in increased skill in aspiration, better preparation of samples, and greater accuracy in interpretation of reports. Since 5% of clinically benign lesions have proved malignant, even on immediate reporting, we would recommend cytological examination of all breast lumps.
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies