A study of metastatic lesions of cervical lymphadenopathy by fine needle aspiration cytology

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONCervical Lymphadenopathy is common clinical presentation in many infectious and neoplastic diseases in any age group. Most common lesions are reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, tuberculous lymphadenitis, lymphomas and metastatic lesions. Metastatic malignancy is a more common etiology of peripheral lymphadenopathy than lymphoma, especially in patients over 40 years of age.1 For diagnosis of metastatic lymphadenopathy FNAC not only give diagnosis but give the clue regarding the nature and origin of primary malignancy.Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of lymphadenopathy in developing countries, like in our country India, in young age group populations. In old age group, metastatic lymphadenopathy is commonest cause. The use of FNAC for diagnosis of metastatic malignancy in cervical lymphnodes is well established method. 3FNAC is a very cost effective, simple procedure, free of complication, well tolerated by patients done on outpatient basis and easily repeatable. 4 Aim of this study is to study various metastatic lesions in cervical lymphnodes in known and occult primary tumors.Clinical history, physical examination, relevant correct performance of FNA and proper handling of aspirate are the major component in management of patient with lymphadenopathy. 5A Correct diagnosis helps in starting specific therapy in time thus reducing morbidity and mortality. 5 The cause of metastatic lesions of cervical lymphnodes are carcinomas includes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), ABSTRACTBackground: cervical lymphadenopathy is a common clinical presentation in many diseases. Metastatic lymphadenopathy is common in old age group patient. FNAC is simple, cost effective, reliable and rapid method for diagnosis of metastatis in cervical lymphnodes. FNAC not only give the diagnosis but also give the clue regarding the origin of primary tumor. Methods: Total 144 cases of metastatic lesions of cervical lymphnode were studied from Aug.13 to July 14 by FNAC in cytology section of pathology department in P.D.U. medical college, Rajkot, (Gujarat) India. Result: Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common metastatic lesions of cervical lymphnode comprising (75 %). Metastatic lesions of cervical lymphnode occur more commonly after age of 40 years and more common in male. In anterior cervical lymphnodes, level I and II lymphnodes usually involved where primary was in mouth -buccal mucosa,tongue and level V lymphnodes (supraclavivular lymphnode) involved where primary was in lung. Conclusion: FNAC is a cost effective, reliable, rapid and inexpensive method for diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. Cytology of Metastatic lesions in cervical lymph nodes gives clue to nature & origin of tumors.