[Cytogenetic study of ascitic and pleural exudates]

Chromosome examination was made in direct samples of ascitic and pleural effusions from 58 patients; 10 of them were also studied after being cultured in vitro. Diagnostic cytogenetic analysis allowed a correct diagnosis of malignancy in 91 per 100 of the cases, higher than the 73.4 per 100 obtained in the same series by diagnostic cytology. There was a great variability in the chromosomes number of malignant tumors, without any correlation with tumor type.