Spectrum of Breast Lesions on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Punjab

Background and Objectives: Breast lumps can be diagnosed in a short time by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Moreover, being cost effective, it is rendered the first choice by surgeons and patients.This study was carried out to outline the spectrum of breast lesions on FNAC in patients presenting with breast lumps in two tertiary care teaching hospitals of Punjab.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted from January, 2018 to October, 2019.Hundred cases of lumps in breast were taken from Sahara Medical College and Sughra Shafi Medical Complex, Narowal and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Cytological diagnosis was made and correlated clinically and histologically. Data analysis was done by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 and expressed as frequency and percentages.Results: Majority (58%) of cases were Class-2 smears on cytology while 11% were malignant andbelonged to Class-5. Among the benign lumps, fibroadenoma was the most common (55.1%) followed by fibrocystic disease (17.2%) and acute mastitis (12%). Thirty-one cases were in grey zone i.e. Class-3 smears showing atypia and Class-4 smears that were suspicious of malignancy.Conclusion: By screening patients with lumps in breast, early and effective management can be made possible. Class 3 and 4 smears should be confirmed with excision and biopsy of the lump for conclusive diagnosis.