DIAGNOSIS OF METASTATIC CARCINOMA OF STOMACH USING FINE CATHETER ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY

The value of fine catheter aspiration cytology organs of the peritonea l cavity in the diagnosis of a metastatic carcinoma is illustrated by this case report. The finding of unequivocal malignant cells was quite unexpected and led to an investigation of the gastrointestinal tract which demonstrated a primary carcinoma in the stomach. This was furthe r confirmed on a biopsy of the tumor and cell block preparations of as pirated material on which immunostaining was done and which further su bstantiated the light microscopic cytohistologic diagnosis. The findin gs presented in this article further emphasize the value of fine cathe ter aspiration cytology in not only identifying tumor type or predicti ng the source of the primary but also in managing patients admitted wi th abdominal pain as an emergency who may be saved from an unnecessary laparotomy which would have otherwise been done for a diagnosis.