OBJECTIVE: To review of the value of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology
in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors (STT).
STUDY DESIGN: A review of the literature was coupled with the authors' expe
rience with indications, diagnostic specificity and pitfalls; clinical info
rmation; and the final cytology report.
RESULTS: Over the last few years, FNA has come to be considered a valuable
tool in the management of STT in that it affords a specificity of >90%. FNA
is of particular value in any subcutaneous lesion >5 nn, in all pediatric
tumors and whenever direct incision biopsy is particularly contraindicated.
Material from aspirates can be used to obtain cytologic smears for convent
ional staining, special pigment identification, histochemical techniques, c
ell blocks for paraffin embedding and ancillary techniques (immunocytochemi
stry, electron microscopy, and densitometric and cytogenetic analyses). The
cytologic diagnosis, like its histologic counterpart, should be based on a
correct evaluation of clinical data (age, localization, size, effect on bo
ne, nerve and vessel involvement), radiologic information, cytologic findin
gs (architectural pattern, cell and stroma characteristics) and results of
special staining techniques. The final cytology report should place the tum
or in one of three basic categories: benign, malignant, and inconclusive or
undetermined. Wherever possible, histopathologic diagnosis should also be
provided, either based on purely cytologic criteria or aided by ancillary t
echniques.
CONCLUSION: FNA does not present major complications and permits a swift, p
reliminary diagnosis in a large number of cases. The method is most effecti
ve when the aspiration is performed by an experienced pathologist.