COMBINING FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION AND FLOW CYTOMETRIC IMMUNOPHENOTYPING IN EVALUATION OF NODAL AND EXTRANODAL SITES FOR POSSIBLE LYMPHOMA - A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

The relatively recent evaluation of nodal and extranodal sites for mal ignant lymphoma by combining fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and flow cyt ometric immunophenotyping (FCI) techniques has resulted in a most rapi d, accurate method. Our study represents a comprehensive retrospective review of in vivo applications of these techniques to cases suspiciou s for malignant lymphoma. We report our findings, which support the us efulness of these techniques, particularly in diagnosis and staging of primary and recurrent B-cell lymphomas (BCL). The findings of necrosi s and numerous polymorphonuclear cells in cases with a previous histor y of BCL demand tissue biopsy. Initial diagnosis of BCL by FNA and FCI may obviate tissue biopsy. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.