COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS OBTAINED BY FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY AND TRU-CUT OR OPEN BIOPSIES

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (3) , 350-354
Abstract
In 7 [human] cases fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology provided a diagnosis of neoplasm when the Tru-Cut (TC) tissue biopsies (4 cases) and open biopsies (3 cases) were negative. The specimens consisted of 2 breast carcinomas, 2 metastatic neoplasms in the liver, 1 metastatic melanoma in inguinal lymph nodes, retroperitoneal mass and a pelvic mass. In the 2 cases of mammary carcinoma, TC biopsies were negative and FNA were diagnostic of carcinoma. TC biopsies in the 2 cass of questionable hepatic metastasis were negative, but FNA demonstrated a malignant neoplasm. Open biopsy of a retroperitoneal mass failed to diagnose a neoplasm; however, subsequent ultrasound-directed FNA demonstrated a neoplasm, possibly seminoma. FNA cytology of inguinal lymph nodes in 1 case was diagnostic of melanoma; open biopsy showed no neoplasm. Because of the FNA diagnosis, additional sections were made and the presence of melanoma was confirmed. This series demonstrates that FNA cytology should be considered the initial diagnostic procedure more often.