Diagnostic value of needle aspiration cytology in the assessment of palpable axillary lymph nodes. A study of 336 cases

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of needle aspiration cytology (NAC) in the assessment of palpable axillary lymph nodes and determine whether ancillary procedures can be useful in enhancing the diagnosis.

Study design: The material was analyzed in 336 cases with enlarged axillary lymph nodes in which NAC were performed by the conventional method. In all cases cytologic examination was done on site after staining the smears with the Papanicolaou method. In addition, air-dried smears, fixed smears, filter preparations from needle washings and cell blocks were studied. The NAC diagnosis was supported by examining cell blocks, which showed the reliability of histologic architecture; further support was obtained with tissue biopsy and/or comparison with the primary tumor in some of the cases.

Results: Twelve cases were diagnosed as inflammatory lesions, and 64 were unsatisfactory due to scanty/acellular samples (despite 2-3 repeat samplings). However, in 6 of these, malignant tumors were later found on a biopsy done due to persistent and continued enlargement of an axillary lymph node or nodes. One hundred twenty-two cases were regarded as negative (normal cellular elements, n = 52; reactive elements, n = 70), and 4 cases were suspicious for malignancy. In 124 cases a variety of metastatic tumors were diagnosed (breast, n = 63; melanoma, n = 22; others, n = 39), and in 10 cases a diagnosis of lymphoma was made.

Conclusion: NAC of palpable axillary lymph nodes as a first-line of investigation is a cost-effective procedure and is not only useful in the diagnosis of various lesions but can also help in deciding on management. Also, histologic architecture from cell blocks can be correlated with cytology, and such material can be used for histochemical and immunomarker studies.