Study on measures to increase diagnostic accuracy of FNAC of breast masses

Objective: To study the measures capable of increasing the diagnostic accuracy, reducing misdiagnosis as well as giving a full play to fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC), in the diagnosis of breast masses, and to standardize the diagnostic report form.

Methods: Totally 1629 cases of FNAC were performed and 444 cases of them were checked with the histological diagnosis.

Results: The sensitivity of diagnosis of malignant tumors in 307 cases, the specificity of diagnosis of benign lesions in 137 cases and the overall accuracy of diagnosis were 95.8%, 98.5% and 96.6% respectively. The false negative rate, potential false positive rate and the overall misdiagnostic rate were 4.2%, 1.5% and 3.4% respectively, while no case of false positive diagnosis was found.

Conclusions: We believe that: (1) It is very important to use a fine aspirator, to make smears of high quality, to carry out an integrated working procedure and to put into effect a conscientious check over cytological appearance with histological diagnosis. (2) The diagnositc report form introduced in "the uniform approach to breast fine needle aspiration biopsy" by Bethesda specialists is worthy of reference. (3) FNAC can further play important roles in the diagnosis and treatment of breast masses.