Local recurrence rate of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in primary high-grade sarcomas

Abstract

Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an emerging technique for diagnosis of bone and soft tissue lesions. While multiple studies have demonstrated efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, none have attempted to determine if the modality leads to an increased rate of local recurrence. Our objective was to determine whether FNAB could be linked to an increased rate of local recurrence.

Methods: We reviewed a database containing records of 388 patients who underwent FNAB without surgical biopsy tract excision between September 2002 and December 2006 in the orthopedics department at our institution. After application of rigid criteria to minimize confounding variables, 20 patients were retrospectively examined for local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Results: In this cohort, no local recurrences were seen over a mean follow-up of 45 months. Fifteen percent of our patients developed one or more distant metastases over the same time interval. Our experience offers preliminary evidence for the safety of this method.

Conclusions: While further studies are needed, our data combined with already reported studies on efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and convenience are encouraging for expanding the use of FNAB in the diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumors.