CYTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BREAST LUMPS: CLINICAL CORRELATION IN A SURGICAL OUTPATIENT SETTING AT BSMMU, DHAKA

Background: A breast lump is the most common symptom associated with both benign and malignant breast diseases. But identification of benign from malignant lump is so crucial for patient management. Clinical diagnosis is possible with CBE (clinical breast examination) but cytopathology by doing FNAC is proven essential for confirm the diagnosis for management protocol. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of FNAC to detect the different breast lumps in diagnosis and their comparison. Methods: A prospective crosssectional study was conducted over a period of one year from January 2011 to December 2011. A total of 115 patients were included in this study. All breast lumps were diagnosed clinically in out-patient department of surgery, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh compared with the FNAC findings. Data were collected from these patients by a preformed questionnaire and finally the data were analyzed. Results: Among the 115 patients 26(22.61%) patients found malignant and benign 89(77.39%) which was done by FNAC. Conclusion: The present study was undertaken to evaluate in diagnosing breast mass lesions individually by doing FNAC in out-patient department for definitive management of a patient