ROLE OF FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY AND NEEDLE-CORE BIOPSY IN THEDIAGNOSIS OF LOBULAR CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays a key role in the preoper ative diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast but is less reliable in the diagnosis of infiltrating lobular carcinoma. The method of diagnosis was reviewed in 56 patients with lobular carcinoma who had attended sc reening and symptomatic clinics. In 29 patients FNAC results demonstra ted malignant cells; 15 of these had palpable disease and the mean tum our size was 21 mm. In 27 patients FNAC failed to demonstrated maligna nt cells; 13 lesions were palpable and the mean tumour size was 23 mm. Ten patients were diagnosed by needle-core biopsy when FNAC was not d iagnostic. FNAC may fail to diagnose even large lobular carcinoma and needle-core biopsy is strongly recommended in this situation.