Fine-needle aspiration and nipple discharge cytology in the diagnosis of breast lesions in adolescent and young women: Cytologic findings as compared with those obtained in older women

Study Objective: To analyze fine needle biopsy of the breast and nipple discharge cytology in young women (aged ≤30), and compare it to the findings obtained in a group of older women (aged ≥31).

Design: From January 1989 through December 1990, 258 adolescent and young women (aged ≤30) were examined for breast disease by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and nipple discharge cytology. Results were compared with those obtained from a group of 3,063 older women (aged ≥31).

Results: Of the 137 nipple discharge smears from young women, foam cells were found in 97% of the samples. Suspect or malignant cells were only found in nipple discharge from older women. FN As of the breast from young women were compared with the findings from the older group. Fibroadenoma was found to be more frequent (p < 0.01), atypical epithelial proliferation was not observed, and carcinoma was rare (1.5%) in the group of young women. Fibrocystic changes with epithelial proliferation without atypia were found in the same proportion in both age groups.

Conclusion: Criteria for biopsy of all epithelial proliferation should be very carefully considered in young women.