Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of breast lesions.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a safe, cost-effective, and accurate technique, which has no contraindications and causes little discomfort. There is no breast lesion for which fine-needle biopsy is not appropriate. Results are available quickly to the patient and physician and aid in decision making about the necessity for excisional biopsy, mastectomy, or radiation therapy. False-negative rates may be decreased by adherence to proper technique and strict cytologic interpretation. A negative cytology report in the face of a clinically suspicious lesion mandates excisional biopsy. Fine-needle biopsy is valuable for diagnosis of breast cancer and can be easily learned and used by the clinician. Combining it with clinical examination and mammography increases the accuracy of diagnosis.