FNA of breast lesions is part of the combined assessment of patients involving clinical examination, radiological examination and pathological assessment with cytology and/or biopsy.

Assessing adequacy

Samples containing five clusters, each of at least 10 breast epithelial cells are generally regarded as adequate. However, in some cases a diagnosis can be made with fewer cells, e.g. where obviously malignant cells are seen.

Numerical reporting system

Breast FNA specimens are coded into diagnostic categories in a similar way to breast core biopsies and the results of clinical examination and radiology. They are:

C1 - inadequate

C2 - benign

C3 - atypical, probably benign

C4 - suspicious of malignancy

C5 - malignant

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