HISTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF CARCINOMA IN 21-GAUGE NEEDLE TRACKS AFTER FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY OF HEAD-AND-NECK-CARCINOMA

Six cancer resection specimens were thoroughly sectioned and microscop ically examined at areas known to have been around 21 gauge fine needl e aspiration (FNA) biopsy sites, in an attempt to identify needle trac ks. All cases had an interval of not less than 10 days between FNA bio psy and surgery. Foci of tumour were identified histologically in need le tracks from two patients with carcinoma. This is the first instance , outside of experimental animal models, of histologically confirmed, viable tumour spread in FNA biopsy tracks. Although this complication is not common and is of unknown clinical significance, it is one that all clinicians who undertake FNA of malignant neoplasms should be awar e of.