Retroperitoneal lymph node aspiration biopsy in staging of pelvic cancer: A cytological study of 228 consecutive cases

Abstract

Knowledge of the status of the pelvic lymph nodes is important for accurate staging and adequate treatment of patients with genitourinary tract cancer (bladder and prostatic carcinoma, testicular tumors, and uterine carcinoma). A total of 228 consecutive patients underwent preoperative evaluation of the lymph node status by lymphangiography combined with fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A lymphadenectomy was performed in 94 patients. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 93%. There were 5% false-negative results and no false-positive diagnoses. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an inexpensive method with which to detect the presence of metastatic lymph nodes visualized by bipedal lymphangiography. It is also a safe and well-tolerated method, with a low morbidity and no mortality. The various cytological features are described as are some possible pitfalls.

Diagnostic value of lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology: an institutional experience of 387 cases observed over a 5‐year period

“…The versatility of LNFNA is demonstrated by the variety of primary malignancies detected by this procedure, which included breast, lung, head and neck, liver, genitourinary and gynaecological cancers. The results of our study are comparable to a number of recent investigations in which LNFNA was evaluated for tumour staging of specific primary non‐lymphoid malignancies such as breast, lung, prostate, uterine, laryngeal and ovarian carcinomas in which subsequent surgical resection confirmed the cytology diagnosis in over 95% of the reported cases 2–12 . With the variety of anatomic sites and guidance modalities employed in these studies it is evident that virtually any lymph node in the body is accessible to FNA.…”

“…The utilization of lymph node fine needle aspiration (LNFNA) for diagnostic purposes dates back to 1921 1 . Subsequent fine needle aspiration (FNA) studies performed in both superficial and deeply seated lymph nodes specimens, pertaining to specific primary tumours, have proved its utility in the diagnoses and staging of metastatic carcinomas of the head and neck, breast, lung, and genitourinary tracts 2–12 . The investigators were unanimous in concluding that well‐performed LNFNA in which the material obtained was properly handled and processed offered a reliable, quick, atraumatic and cost‐effective alternative to surgical excision of lymph nodes for the staging of a given malignancy.…”

“…The investigators were unanimous in concluding that well‐performed LNFNA in which the material obtained was properly handled and processed offered a reliable, quick, atraumatic and cost‐effective alternative to surgical excision of lymph nodes for the staging of a given malignancy. For metastatic carcinomas diagnostic accuracy ranging from 82% to 96% is reported in the literature 2–12 . In many of these studies the authors remarked that diagnostic accuracy is enhanced by a few key factors, including on‐site cellular adequacy evaluation, comparison of cytology and surgical histology and the employment of special histochemical and immunohistochemical stains on the aspirated material.…”

“… Diagnostic value of lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology: an institutional experience of 387 cases observed over a 5‐year period Lymph node fine needle aspiration (LNFNA) cytology is valuable in solving the diagnostic problems of clinical adenopathy. The usefulness of the procedure in the staging and diagnosis of various malignant and lymphoproliferative tumours, as well as its role in distinguishing reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes from lymphoma, has been documented in the literature generally on an individual basis 1–12 . We report our cumulative 5 year experience of LNFNA representing 387 cases.…”