Cytogenetic diagnosis of cancer from body fluids

Serous effusions from 50 patients suspected of having cancer were subjected to cytogenetic analysis by the use of a simple direct technique. Within 24 hours the specimens were reported as unsatisfactory or as positive or negative for malignancy, according to specific chromosomal criteria, which included hypodiploidy. Reports were sent directly to referring clinicians, who also received independently derived findings from routine cytologic study. The value of cytogenetic analysis was clearly shown in this situation, in which the chromosomal findings took the form of an independent second opinion in clinical assessment. There were no false-positive results in any of the 16 cases diagnosed by cytogenetic analysis. Furthermore, in six of these, the initial cytologic report was equivocal, and the repeat sample from three of these failed to yield material suitable for a definite cytologic diagnosis of malignancy. Negative cytogenetic findings also supported the use of cytogenetic analysis as an adjunct to cytologic examination: 23 of the 24 negative cytogenetic reports proved to be accurate, whereas in 8 of these cases the first cytologic report was equivocal. There was one cytogenetic false negative, in which, after retrospective analysis, chromosomal criteria of malignancy were found.