title: The role of aspiration cytology in a radiotherapy and oncology centre.
abstract: The role of aspiration cytology for a Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology was assessed in 158 patients with a wide range of tumours. Aspirates were taken from breast, lymph nodes, skin, bone, muscle and subcutaneous tissues. Malignant cells were identified in 91% of 107 malignant tumour aspirates. There was one possibly false positive report on a lymph node aspirate. Fifty other lesions were aspirated in which no malignant cells were seen, and were subsequently found to be benign. Aspiration cytology was found to be a simple, cheap and convenient investigation which was useful in the management of 83% of the whole group of patients, and detrimental to none.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology