THE FREQUENCY OF MALIGNANCY IN BREAST LUMPS ON FNAC IN FEMALES UNDER 35 YEARS OF AGE

INTRODUCTION: Breast carcinoma is one of the common malignancies in females and its incidence is increasing in younger age. Diagnosis of carcinoma breast includes clinical evaluation, imaging and pathology. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is the first line pathological investigation in the diagnosis with excellent results. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of malignancy in breast lumps on FNAC in females under 35 years of age. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross sectional study. SETTING: Department of pathology Fatima Jinnah Medical College (FJMC), Lahore. DURATION: Six months from 20th July, 2011 till 20th January, 2012. METHODS: 150 female patients 35 years of age or less, presenting to the OPD and Indoor of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, an affiliated hospital of FJMC Lahore, with breast lumps were included in the study. Demographic features and consent of the patients were noted. FNAC of the patients was performed as per advice of the consultant. Diagnosis of malignant cases was further confirmed on histology. RESULTS: Out of all, 124 lumps (82.7%) were benign and 26 lumps (17.3%) were malignant. Amongst the benign lumps, 77(62.1%) were fibroadenomas, 28(22.6%) were fibrocystic changes, 08(06.5%) were inflammatory lesions, 07(05.6%) showed pyogenic abscess and 04 lumps (03.2%) were galactoceles. Amongst the malignant lumps, 22(84.6%) were ductal carcinoma, 02(07.7%) colloid carcinoma and 02(07.7%) were malignant phylloides. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of malignancy in breast lumps in Pakistan is significantly high in females under 35 years of age. Appropriate measures are needed for prevention and early diagnosis and treatment in young females.