Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Cell Block Study of Various Breast Lumps

Aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of the combined use of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and cell block in the diagnosis of breast lesions. A total of 33 cases with breast swelling were included in the study of which FNAC, cell block and biopsy or resected specimens were available. Cytological finding of smears and cell blocks were correlated to histo pathological results, with the combined use of FNAC and cell block, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 100% while sensitivity and accuracy were 96%. Major limitation of breast FNAC compared with core needle biopsy is inability to determine invasion in carcinoma. Of 17 carcinomas, invasion could be identified in 10 cases (59%) in cell block sections. Cell blocks complement smears and monolayers and appear to overcome major limitations of breast FNAC.