Introduction

Evaluation of breast masses during pregnancy and lactation is challenging. FNA of these lesions and cytological interpretation is considered problematic due to atypical inherent to secretory change in glandular epithelia.

Objective

To evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of palpable breast masses during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

The present study was conducted at the department of pathology, People’s medical college and research centre, Bhopal.  Cases of breast mass in pregnant or lactating women presenting to OPD for FNA over a period of (January 2014–June 2017), were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Around 32 cases of breast mass in pregnant and lactating women are included in the study .  Present study focuses on most common differential diagnoses: galactocele( 2 cases), fibroadenoma ( 7 cases), lactating adenoma ( 9 cases), mastitis and abscess ( 6 cases), Masses with Benign findings (4 cases), Fibrocystic disease (1 case), suspicious for malignancy (1 case)  and PABC (2 cases)

Conclusion

Breast lesions detected during pregnancy or lactation are difficult to diagnose due to the hormone–induced physiological changes occurring in breast. However, FNA play an important role in evaluating breast masses in pregnant and lactating women.