Urmila Kakchingtabam1, Sucheta Devi Khuraijam2, Sushma Khuraijam3, Bidhya Sharma4, Priyanka Devi Hijam5
BACKGROUND
Palpable breast lumps are a common presentation during pregnancy and lactation.
The breast gland is a hormone responsive organ that undergoes physiologic
changes due to hormonal stimulation. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is
a rapid, simple, reliable and inexpensive diagnostic tool that has an important role
in the diagnosis of breast masses during pregnancy and lactation.
METHODS
The present study is a retrospective analysis of 49 cases of breast masses during
pregnancy and lactation period conducted at the Department of Pathology, RIMS
over a period of 4 years (January 2014 to December 2018). We intend to evaluate
the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the interpretation of breast masses in
pregnant and lactating women.
RESULTS
Around 49 breast masses were identified during pregnant and lactating period.
Non–neoplastic breast lesions were the most common aetiology seen. Our study
observed that among the benign breast lesions, galactocele was the most common
pathology seen in 16 cases (32.65 %). Other benign breast lesions seen during
this period included nine cases (18.37 %) of benign breast lesion with pregnancy
and lactational changes, three cases (6.12 %) of benign proliferative breast lesion,
two cases (4.08 %) of mastitis and three cases (6.12 %) of fat necrosis.
Fibroadenoma was seen in 7 cases (14.29 %) constituting the most common
benign tumour seen during this period. Two cases (4.08 %) of lactating adenoma
were observed. Two cases (4.08 %) of pregnancy associated breast carcinoma
(PABC) was also seen during this period.
CONCLUSIONS
FNAC plays an important role in evaluating the cytomorphological diagnosis of
breast masses in pregnant and lactating women. However, the cytopathologist
must be aware of the cytological features in FNA smears with atypical features to
avoid a false positive diagnosis of breast cancer in pregnant and lactating women.
