Abstract
Introduction: Palpable breast lumps are the commonest presentation of breast diseases. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, rapid, and safe diagnostic method. Previously, no uniform reporting criteria existed. The International Academy of Cytology (IAC) Yokohama System was introduced to address this. This study aimed to categorize breast FNAC cases using the IAC Yokohama System and evaluate associations between clinical variables and FNAC findings.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, where records of breast lesions undergoing FNAC in the last year were studied. Eighty-five patients with palpable breast lesions who underwent FNAC were included. Cytological diagnoses were categorized per the IAC Yokohama System. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests assessed associations between clinical variables (consistency, mobility, tenderness) and FNAC findings.
Results: Mean age was 44.9 ± 17.5 years (range: 10–90). Among 80 evaluable cases, 72 (90%) were female. Left-sided lesions (57.7%) outnumbered right-sided (38.8%). Cytological distribution: inadequate (C1)–5(5.9%); benign (C2)–52(61.2%); atypical (C3)–6(7.1%); suspicious (C4)–2(2.4%); and malignant (C5)–20(23.5%). Fibroadenoma was the commonest benign lesion; ductal carcinoma the predominant malignant subtype. Significant associations were observed between FNAC diagnosis and consistency (p < 0.0001), mobility (p < 0.001), and tenderness (p = 0.005).
Conclusions: Benign lesions (61.2%) predominated over malignant (23.5%), with fibroadenoma and ductal carcinoma being the commonest diagnoses. FNAC diagnosis showed significant associations with consistency, mobility, and tenderness. The IAC Yokohama System effectively categorized all cases.
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