The role of FNAC in diagnostically challenging malignant lesions of breast

The role of FNAC in diagnostically challenging malignant lesions of breast: Rajyalakshmi Rallapalli, Lakshmi V Chavali, Bhaskar V Rani, Ramana V Kada, Beulah P Maddirala



Journal of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences 2019 8(4):250-256



Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple investigation to evaluate the malignant tumors of the breast when compared to tru-cut biopsy. It is invaluable in the diagnosis of the common invasive carcinoma of the breast including its subtypes. The morphology of the uncommon subtypes and other rare tumors are the source of diagnostic confusion.

Aims: The objective of this study is to assess the role of FNAC in diagnostically challenging malignant lesions of the breast.

Methods and Material: The study included 526 female patients with palpable breast lumps subjected to FNAC for one year from November 2015 to October 2016 in the department of pathology. The cytology features of these patients were studied and correlated with histopathology.

Results: Diagnostic difficulty was encountered in certain tumors having either bland cytology or a predominant discrete pattern or a combination of extracellular mucin and papillary pattern. These were reanalyzed in correlation with histopathology, clinical findings, radiology and immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions: Awareness of the morphology of these rare lesions improves the diagnostic accuracy making cytology a more efficient tool for the preoperative assessment of malignant breast tumors.