Fine needle aspiration cytology in the assessment of breast lumps in Ibadan.

Within the period August 1984 to January 1987, 209 needle aspirates of breast lumps were examined cytologically. One hundred and forty-four smears had histological confirmation. The diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for malignancy is 79% in this study, with a specificity of 97%. The role of fine needle aspiration cytology, as a useful diagnostic tool and a necessary adjunct to clinical examination in the assessment of breast lumps is discussed.