title: Fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of primary breast cancer.
abstract: To evaluate the role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the diagnosis of primary breast cancer, we reviewed our experience over a recent 5-year period at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. A total of 590 aspirates with subsequent follow-up were documented. One hundred thirty-three primary cancers were histologically proved. Of the 133 cancers, 91 (68%) were diagnosed as malignant by aspiration cytologic examination; another 22 (17%) were reported as suspicious. Of the cancers, 8 (6%) had a benign cytologic diagnosis and 12 (9%) had unsatisfactory smears. No cytologic tests positive for malignancy were found to be benign on histologic examination. With an absolute sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 100%, we conclude that FNA cytologic examination is highly accurate in the diagnosis of breast cancer. With no false-positive studies, the finding of a clearly malignant cytologic condition obviates the need for biopsy before mastectomy.
authors.affiliation: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Torrance 90509.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: State
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged