Cytomorphological Evaluation and Histopathological Correlation of Breast Lesions: A Study on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Abstract

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a cost-effective, rapid, and minimally invasive diagnostic tool used widely in the evaluation of breast lesions. Histopathological correlation is essential for assessing its diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of breast lesions diagnosed on FNAC and correlate with histopathology wherever available, calculating sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients with palpable breast lumps who underwent FNAC, followed by excision/biopsy in 70 cases. Cytological diagnoses were categorized using the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) system. Statistical parameters were calculated.

Results: Of the 120 cases, 68 (56.7%) were benign, 30 (25%) malignant, 12 (10%) suspicious, and 10 (8.3%) inadequate/inflammatory. Histopathology correlation showed sensitivity of 93.7%, specificity of 95.6%, and diagnostic accuracy of 94.2%. The most common benign lesion was fibroadenoma (42.5%), and the most common malignancy was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (85%).

Conclusion: FNAC is a reliable initial diagnostic tool for breast lumps. Its high diagnostic accuracy justifies its use in preoperative assessment, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Keywords: FNAC, Breast lesions, Cytology, Histopathology, Fibroadenoma, Carcinoma