FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PALPABLE LESIONS OF THE LOWER FEMALE GENITAL-TRACT

During January 1978 through May 1989, 232 fine-needle aspirations of p alpable lesions of the vulva, vagina, inguinal area, and perineum were performed on 209 women. Five samples were considered inadequate for c ytologic evaluation. Eighty-seven (38.3%) aspirates were interpreted a s malignant, 80 of which were further classified into specific cell ty pes. Most malignant neoplasms represented metastases from other gyneco logic organs. Of the 140 (61.7%) nonmalignant aspirates, only 28 (20%) could be categorized into specific pathologic disorders. The false-po sitive and false-negative rates were 0 and 4.6%, respectively. We conc lude that, because of its safety, simplicity, and accuracy, fine-needl e aspiration cytology represents a valuable diagnostic tool in the eva luation of palpable lesions of the lower female genital tract. This te chnique is particularly helpful in the assessment of primary, metastat ic, or recurrent malignant neoplasms of this region.