title: Cytologic diagnosis and chromosome analysis: sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and predictive value in malignant and benign pleural effusions.
abstract: It is often difficult to determine the origin a pleural effusion even if it is very important for prognosis of a patient. We have studied No. 200 patients, affected with nontraumatic effusions, using cytogenetic technics and cytologic examination. Cytologic diagnosis of pleural effusions allows to detect correctly its malignant nature in a percentage of cases ranging, according to various Authors, between 45 and 80%. The main parameters we have considered in our study, in order to value chromosomal analysis as a useful test for malignity in pleural effusions, can be, at least, placed upon those obtained with cytologic diagnosis. Therefore, we think we can consider chromosomal analysis in neoplastic effusions as a useful completion in terms of diagnostic advantage of cytologic diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Cytogenetics Department, City Hospital, Acqui Terme, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giazza
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cosimi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanero
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casagranda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests