The cytologic diagnosis of breast aspirations.

A series of 1,792 breast cytology specimens were evaluated from the Boston Hospital for Women for the years 1970-1974. The majority (1,684) were needle aspiration smears, the remainder (108) were nipple secretion smears. The cytologic criteria for diagnosing breast specimens were presented. Of the 1,792 breast specimens examined cytologically, 48 cases were histologically proven cancers with 33 smears containing malignant or suspicious cells, indicating 92% accuracy (after correction for unsatisfactory smears). A suspicious or positive interpretation of the smears prompted a biopsy and led to early diagnosis. Although needle aspiration cytology is not a new technique, it is one which is economical, easy, accurate and lacking in complications to the patient. Hopefully in the near future, it will be a more widely accepted procedure for the early detection of breast cancer.