European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been established as the most preferable first line investigation for palpable breast lumps. Incidence of both benign and malignant breast lesions has been increasing in India in the recent times. Various predisposing factors have been attributed for the rapid surge of breast lesions. Materials & Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, in the newly established Government Medical College and Hospital, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh. A Total of 57 female patients presenting with palpable breast lump were subjected to FNAC procedure after taking history and doing general and local examination. Smears were prepared, stained and cytological diagnosis was made and reporting done by IAC (International Academy of Cytology), categories C1 to C5. Results: Most of the female patients presenting with palpable breast lump were in the age group of 31-40 years. The most common lesion diagnosed was Fibroadenoma. Malignancies formed 19.29% of all cases. Most of the lesions (71.95%) were in C2 category of IAC. Conclusion: FNAC is a fast and easily available technique to diagnose and differentiate between various benign and malignant breast lesions. It also guides the clinician for proper preoperative evaluation of patients.