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Fine needle aspiration cytology in advanced pediatric tumors
1National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe and effective diagnostic tool for pediatric tumors. This study shows FNAC accurately diagnoses various childhood cancers, offering a valuable alternative to open biopsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Childhood malignant tumors require accurate and timely diagnosis.
- Traditional open biopsies can be invasive and carry risks, especially in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in children with suspected malignant tumors.
- To assess FNAC as a less invasive alternative to open biopsy for pediatric cancer diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 81 children with clinically suspected malignant tumors.
- Percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed.
- FNAC diagnoses were compared with subsequent histological findings from incisional biopsies or surgical specimens where available.
Main Results:
- Out of 81 children, 47 malignant diagnoses were made, including lymphoma, neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and leukemia.
- Histological confirmation supported FNAC diagnoses in 36 cases.
- All benign cases were confirmed by FNAC.
- One false negative and no false positive results were recorded.
- FNAC proved particularly useful in 10 advanced Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases where malnourishment precluded surgery.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a quick, effective, and inexpensive diagnostic method for pediatric tumors.
- FNAC is a valuable alternative to open biopsy, especially in undernourished children with advanced malignancy where surgery is contraindicated.
Abstract:
Eighty-one children with clinically suspected malignant tumors were subjected to percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) at the Pathology Department of the National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 1986 through July 1987. There were 47 malignant diagnoses including lymphoma, neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and leukemia. Histological findings confirmed the FNAC diagnoses in 36 cases in which a subsequent incisional biopsy or surgically removed specimen was available. FNAC results were confirmed in all benign cases. In 10 advanced cases of NonHodgkin's lymphoma, surgery was not possible because of marked malnourishment. One false negative and no false positive result was encountered. Forty-eight were females and thirty-three males. FNAC can be a quick, effective, and inexpensive alternative to open biopsy, particularly in advanced cases of malignancy in undernourished children where anesthesia and immediate surgery are contraindicated.