The value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in the management of breast disease.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a technique used all over the world in the diagnosis and management of breast lumps. It is safe, quick, accurate, cost effective and acceptable to the patients. We reviewed 234 fine needle aspiration biopsies performed over a period extending from 1991-1993 for diagnosis of breast lesions. Majority of the patients presented with breast lumps (89.7%). On FNAB 144 (61.4%) cases were reported as benign and 60 (25.6%) as malignant. Histological diagnosis was available in 116 cases. On comparison with open biopsy diagnosis, FNAB was found to have a sensitivity of 96.4%, a specificity of 95.5% and efficiency rate of 96.2%. The results of the study endorse the use of FNAB as an accurate and effective technique in the management of breast ailments in our set-up.