Fine needle aspiration cytology, in relationships to clinical examination and mammography in the diagnosis of a solid breast mass.

The accuracy of clinical examination, mammography and fine needle aspiration cytology in identifying malignancy has been assessed in 1655 breast masses from two time periods. Clinical examination and mammography remained consistent at identifying malignancy but 9 per cent of all breast carcinomas were considered benign by both techniques (sensitivity 91 per cent). Fine needle aspiration cytology, when performed by multiple aspirators in the first study period, had a sensitivity of only 66 per cent for malignancy. During the second period of study, when all aspirates were performed by a single aspirator, sensitivity rose to 99 per cent. The two patients with false negative cytology in this latter period had both clinical and mammographic evidence of malignancy. No patient with malignant cytology was subsequently shown to have benign disease. It is concluded that a combination of clinical examination and mammography, with fine needle aspiration cytology performed by committed individuals with aptitude for the technique and interpreted by experienced pathologists, can identify all patients with breast cancer before surgery.