OBJECTIVE: To describe a biinstitutional experience with fine needle aspiration (FNA) of breast lesions occurring in men over a period of over 10 years and to assess the role of FNA in detecting male breast cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Computer patient records were searched from January 1990 to September 2007. Male patients who had a diagnosis of carcinoma on breast biopsy or resection were identified, and detailed chart review was done to assess demographics and correlate biopsy and FNA results. RESULTS: A total of 346, 792 patients' charts were searched, and 217 male patients were found to have had a breast mass and subsequent FNA. Combined in both institutions, FNA results were positive for carcinoma in 12 (5.5%) cases, negative in 181 (83.4%) cases, suspicious in 5 (2.3%) cases, indeterminate/inconclusive in 3 (1.4%) cases and unsatisfactory in 16 (7.4%) cases. Matching biopsies to confirm FNA results were available in 26 (12%) of the 217 cases. The calculated sensitivity and specificity for the malignant cases reached 100%. When suspicious cases were calculated for diagnostic accuracy, the sensitivity was 67% and the specificity 100%. CONCLUSION: This biinstitutional study demonstrates that FNA is a reliable but underutilized procedure for the management of male breast lesions.
OBJECTIVE: To describe a biinstitutional experience with fine needle aspiration (FNA) of breast lesions occurring in men over a period of over 10 years and to assess the role of FNA in detecting male breast cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Computer patient records were searched from January 1990 to September 2007. Male patients who had a diagnosis of carcinoma on breast biopsy or resection were identified, and detailed chart review was done to assess demographics and correlate biopsy and FNA results. RESULTS: A total of 346, 792 patients' charts were searched, and 217 male patients were found to have had a breast mass and subsequent FNA. Combined in both institutions, FNA results were positive for carcinoma in 12 (5.5%) cases, negative in 181 (83.4%) cases, suspicious in 5 (2.3%) cases, indeterminate/inconclusive in 3 (1.4%) cases and unsatisfactory in 16 (7.4%) cases. Matching biopsies to confirm FNA results were available in 26 (12%) of the 217 cases. The calculated sensitivity and specificity for the malignant cases reached 100%. When suspicious cases were calculated for diagnostic accuracy, the sensitivity was 67% and the specificity 100%. CONCLUSION: This biinstitutional study demonstrates that FNA is a reliable but underutilized procedure for the management of male breast lesions.