Retrospective study of malignant lymphadenopathy diagnosed by Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) at Tertiary health care hospital.

Abstract

Background: FNAC easily access enlarged lymph nodes and therefore, this procedure is of immense importance in the diagnosis of secondary or primary malignancies. Aim: The study was done to find out the frequency of various types of lymph node malignancy as well as to find out incidence of various pathological subtypes of metastatic lymphadenopathy and to test the utility of FNAC in diagnosis of malignant Lymphadenopathy. Material & Methods: This retrospective study of malignant lymph node aspirates diagnosed by FNAC in palpable lymphadenopathy. The study was conducted over a period of 1 & ½ years from Sept 2017 to Feb 2019 in Department of Pathology at American International institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), GBH General & cancer hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. All age group (1-90 years) of patients of malignant enlarged lymph nodes were included in study. All cytological smears were studied, analyzed, correlated with clinical and radiological data. Results: Out of 200 enlarged lymph nodes, 122 (61%) were identified as malignant lymph nodes, males 79 (64.8%), Females 43 (35.2%). M: F ratio 1.8:1. Cervical lymph node 73(59.8%) was commonly involved node. Metastatic malignancy 107(87.7%) was more common than lymphomas 15(12.2%). Squamous cell carcinoma 58(47.5%) was commonest metastasis followed by duct cell carcinoma 18(14.8%) and adenocarcinoma 13(10.7%). Oral cavity39 (36.4%) were common primary site followed by breast 18(16.8%).Non Hodgkin Lymphoma was commonest 12(9.8%) out of 15 primary lymphoma. Conclusions: FNAC is simple, reliable, cost-effective and rapid technique in making diagnosis of lymph node malignancies, especially to confirm or to exclude the metastatic malignancy.