UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: To assess the value of fine needle aspiration (FNA), a relatively new technology in Nigeria, and ascertain its usefulness in the diagnosis of breast cancer at UDUTH hospital.

Methods: All cases of breast FNA done at the center were reviewed and analyzed. The primary cytologic diagnoses were classified into 4 groups: unsatisfactory, benign, malignant and suspicious. These cytologic diagnoses were evaluated using histological diagnoses as “gold standard” in 18 cases that had corresponding confirmatory surgical biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were calculated.

Results: Results of smears obtained from 56 patients were studied of which 3 were unsatisfactory. The primary cytologic diagnoses were benign (62.5%) malignant (25.0%) and suspicious (7.1%). FNA cytology revealed 93.3per cent sensitivity and 89.2 percent specificity. It is concluded that FNA of breast has high diagnostic accuracy and could be a useful tool in triaging patients for clinical management; which is especially useful in the developing countries where health care facilities are limited.