Diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast by aspiration biopsy cytology.

The authors performed fine needle aspiration biopsy in 174 patients with mammary lesions. In 124 cases the cytologic examination was followed by surgery combined with histologic examination. The cytologic findings can be considered to be satisfactory in regard to literary data. In principles, however, it cannot substitute the histologic examination. In combination with the other diagnostic methods aspiration cytology may yield useful diagnostic information. In case of recurrences, inoperable tumors and contralateral metastases the fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology is of diagnostic value.