BENIGN BREAST ASPIRATES - 2 DECADES OF EXPERIENCE

Objective.-To evaluate the reliability of benign breast aspirates. Des ign.-A 20-year retrospective study of cytologically benign aspirates f rom palpable breast lesions followed by surgery and review of false ne gatives. Results.-Data encompassed 1518 benign aspirates followed by b enign histology, and 99 by malignant histology. Of the latter, 89% und erwent biopsy within 1 month. Review of 52 available false negatives r evealed 10 (19%) with no change in the original diagnosis, 16 (31%) re viewed as unsatisfactory specimens, and 26 (50%) reviewed as specimens with focal cytologic atypia (dyshesion, nuclear enlargement, and cont our irregularity). Cellularity (> 20 epithelial groups per slide) was an important criterion in postmenopausal women. Conclusion.-Our study confirms the reliability of benign breast aspirates interpreted in lig ht of clinical and mammographic findings and demonstrates the importan ce of adequacy evaluation and focal atypia in preventing false negativ es.