Accuracy of fine needle aspiration compared to core needle biopsy in breast masses

Background and aims: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of death in women, the early diagnosis of which is made by physical examination, mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy of breast masses. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) compared to core needle biopsy (CNB) in breast masses. Methods: The current descriptive study was conducted in Kashani and Hajar hospitals in 2015. And a total of 200 patients diagnosed with breast masses participated in this study. First, patients referred to the clinic, received local anesthesia in the area, and then underwent FNA using 10 cc syringes and 23G needles, and simultaneously CNB specimens were taken by a special needle for diagnosis. FNA and CNB specimens were transferred to the Pathology Department with a few day interval for cytological interpretation. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of FNA compared to CNB in the diagnosis of malignant breast masses were 83.9% and 89.9%, respectively. Moreover, the positive and negative predictive values of FNA for breast masses were 78.8% and 92.5%, respectively. The accuracy of FNA test for breast masses was also 0.88%. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, FNA test had a high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in the diagnosis of breast masses. Therefore, it could be used as an appropriate diagnostic tool, and could obviously save many costs as well.