A comparison of trucut biopsy with fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Abstract

Carcinoma of the breast is common in Singapore and many patients may present with just a suspicious breast lump.To determine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and trucut biopsy in the diagnosis of suspicious breast lumps in an outpatient setting.A total of 39 women, from May 1995 to November 1995, who had a suspicious breast lump were subjected to concurrent FNAC and trucut biopsy.The accuracy of FNAC is 90% whereas trucut biopsy is 67%, the difference being statistically significant with a p < 0.02.FNAC is recommended for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lumps.