780 breast cytology samples obtained over a one year period at the Breast Clinic of the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur were reviewed. These included 745 fine needle aspirates (FNA's) and 35 nipple smears. The broad categories of cytodiagnoses were as follows: malignant: 95, suspicious or equivocal: 26, benign: 543, no proliferative lesion: 58 and inadequate: 58. The benign and malignant lesions were also subcategorized on cytological basis. The suspicious or equivocal lesions were subjected to biopsy and 17 of these proved to be malignant. 194 cases that were subjected to histological confirmation and 34 cases that were considered to be undisputably malignant (on the basis of clinical features, recurrences, metastases, etc.) were subjected to statistical analysis (total 228 cases). If the cytologically suspicious/equivocal category was considered as "test positive" the sensitivity of cytodiagnosis was 97.4% and the specificity 92%. The high degree of cytodiagnostic sensitivity and specificity make breast cytology a valuable adjunct in the evaluation of breast lesions.
Florid papillomatosis (FP) of the nipple, or nipple adenoma, is a rare breast tumour, affecting middle-aged group population. A 46-year-old woman presented to us with a cauliflower-like FP of the right nipple with no blood stained discharge or breast lump. FP can be mistaken clinically for Paget's disease and occasionally misinterpreted as invasive ductal or intraductal carcinoma. Extensive intervention, correct diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. Any breast pathology requires triple assessment including FP of the nipple. Once the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma is excluded, simple complete excision can be undertaken. This is to ensure complete obliteration of disease recurrence and preservation of cosmetic result. We discuss the pathology and psychosocial aspects of FP.