Cytology of body fluids from different sites: an approach for early diagnosis of malignancy

• Published in: Journal of Nepal Medical Association 2006-10, Vol.45 (164), p.353-356
• Main Authors: Pradhan, S B, Pradhan, B, Dali, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnosis; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascitic Fluid - cytology; Body Fluids; Cerebrospinal Fluid - cytology; Child; Cytological Techniques; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - physiopathology; Pleural Cavity - cytology; Pleural Effusion - cytology; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0028-2715; 1815-672X
• DOI: 10.31729/jnma.531

Malignant effusions are a common presenting sign of malignancy and reflect dissemination. A retrospective study of all fluid samples accessioned at the Department of Pathology, TUTH from April 2000 to October 2002 were done. Over the study period, a total of 584 specimens were examined- 324 peritoneal fluid, 224 pleural fluid, 19 pericardial fluid, 9 knee joint effusion and 8 Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF). One hundred and nine (18.66%) out of 584 cases were found to have malignancy, 57 were male and 52 were female. The age group of the adult male ranged from 42-78 years and female ranged from 43-62 years. Three patients were children with age ranging from 8-11 years. Adenocarcinoma was the commonest that comprised 89%, followed by Non Hodgkin's lymphoma 6.5% squamous cell carcinoma 2.7% and small cell carcinoma comprised 1.8 %. Exfoliative cytology is cheap, rapid and highly effective tool for the evaluation of body fluid and should be advised in all effusion cases.