title: Effusion cytology.
abstract: Cytologic evaluation is the best way to detect the presence of malignancy in body cavity fluids. Although a positive diagnosis is highly reliable, a negative result does not rule out a malignant cause. Adenocarcinomas, well-differentiated squamous carcinomas, small-cell carcinomas, malignant melanomas, large-cell lymphomas, and acute leukemias are accurately classified when present in effusions. The definitive diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, small-cell lymphomas, and chronic leukemias, and subclassification of sarcomas and poorly differentiated neoplasms are difficult and may require additional diagnostic techniques. With a few exceptions, the exact causes of benign effusions cannot be determined by cytologic methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ehya
mesh_terms: D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology