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[Effusion cytology in aged patients with malignancy]
1Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital.
Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Geriatrics
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Effusion cytology aids in diagnosing malignancy in elderly patients, with its diagnostic frequency increasing with age. This method is crucial for identifying cancers, particularly lung cancer in pleural effusions and adenocarcinomas in ascites.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cytopathology
- Geriatric Medicine
Context:
- Malignancy diagnosis in elderly patients (≥60 years) presents unique challenges.
- Effusion cytology is a key diagnostic tool for detecting cancer in bodily fluids.
- Autopsy confirmation provides a definitive link between cytology findings and malignancy.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of effusion cytology in elderly patients with confirmed malignancy.
- To analyze the characteristic pathology profiles of malignant effusions in aged individuals.
- To determine the correlation between patient age and the diagnostic yield of effusion cytology.
Summary:
- Over 10 years, 162 aged patients with positive effusion cytology were confirmed malignant at autopsy.
- Effusion cytology provided the initial diagnosis of malignancy in 46% of cases, rising with age.
- Malignant pleural effusions primarily originated from lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, small cell, squamous cell).
- Malignant ascitic effusions showed varied origins (stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, ovaries), predominantly adenocarcinoma.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of effusion cytology in early cancer detection in the elderly.
- Provides insights into age-related patterns of cancer metastasis to body cavities.
- Informs clinical practice and diagnostic strategies for geriatric oncology.