[Abrasion cytology of the stomach (author's transl)]

Cytological smears from 779 cases were examined over a three-year period, cell collection and cytological diagnosis being in separate hands (material sent in from outside). Three quarters of the cytological findings could be compared with the histological diagnosis: 68% of 194 histologically proven malignant tumours were diagnosed cytologically. The diagnostic accuracy varied between 53 and 74.4%, depending on experience and precision of the endoscopist. In 18 cytologically positive cases results were different from the histological diagnosis. Initial diagnosis of malignant tumour by cytology was made in 3.6% of cases. Subsequently repeated biopsies or histological examination of surgical specimens confirmed the diagnosis.