The value of aspiration cytology in the evaluation of dysplastic breasts.

Sixteen consecutive patients who had carcinoma of the breast and who had preoperative xeromammography were evaluated and classified according to Wolfe's classification. Five of the patients had correct preoperative evaluation by mammography, and 11 had false negatives. Eight of these were in patients who had Wolfe's classification "DY", suggesting that this is an extremely difficult group to diagnose by mammography alone. The value of aspiration cytology in this group and in all patients having breast masses is discussed. Aspiration cytology as a cellular technique for diagnosing the group with dysplastic breast is strongly recommended.