title: [The role of transcutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the regional lymph nodes in the management of cancer of the penis].
abstract: Knowledge of the status of the regional lymph-nodes is essential for establishing the stage and the optimal treatment of carcinoma of the penis. Lymphadenectomy cannot be performed routinely because of its morbidity (30-50%) and mortality. Various noninvasive procedures such as lymphography, T.A.C. and echography have been proposed but are of limited diagnostic value because of the unacceptable frequency of the false positive and false negative findings. The transcutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the draining nodes visualized by lymphography is an innocuous, non invasive, excellent procedure, alternative to staging surgery in determining or excluding the presence of the nodal metastases. The positive cytology is conclusive of stage III and implies early, sometime, curative lymphadenectom. If the aspirate is abundant and largely representative the negative findings may also be considered to indicate the reactive nature of the lymphadenopathy.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008220:Lymphography; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Il ruolo della biopsia aspirativa transcutanea con ago sottile dei linfonodi regionali nel trattamento del carcinoma del pene.