[Cytopathology of the breast].

Cytologic diagnosis is a useful tool for diagnosis of breast lesions. It is also useful in the follow-up of non operated lesions and overall in the follow-up of breast carcinomas. Technical improvements (immunocytochemistry, flowcytometry, image analysis) are applicable to cytologic material and permits to obtain prognostic factors in breast cancer. Quality of samples, smears, stainings and of cytologic interpretation are prerequisite for the reliability of this method.