CORRELATION OF CYTOLOGY WITH THE HISTOPATHOLOGY IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT LESIONS OF LYMPH NODES

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Lymph node swellings are one of the commonest clinical presentation of patients and it encompasses a wide spectrum ranging from benign lesions to a malignant lymphoma or a more obnoxious metastatic malignancy. The objective of the study was to study the role of FNAC in the evaluating lymph node swellings of cervical , axillary , supraclavicular in the body and to understand the various cytological patterns of FNAC in correlation with histopathology of lymph node swellings. Methods: Patients referred to the Department of Pathology, CAIMS ,karimnagar from cancer Hospital and its allied branches, for palpable lymph node swelling on whom FNAC procedure was performed were included in the study. FNAC diagnosis of patients was compared with histopathology in cases which underwent surgical excision and its diagnostic accuracy was studied. Results: Out of 280 cases which included in the study, lymph node biopsy was carried out in 150 cases, 4 cases were inconclusive. Most were in 31 to 40 years. Gender wise, there was female preponderance. Cervical group of lymph node were most affected. Benign /non neoplastic lymphadenopathies were diagnosed in 83 cases(55.5%) of cases. Metastatic deposits were diagnosed in 28 cases(18.6%) of cases. Lymphomas contributed to 39 cases(26%). On correlation of FNAC ndings with histopathology. The overall correlation rate was 97.33%. Interpretation & Conclusion: FNAC of lymph nodes is an excellent rst line method to investigate the nature of lesions as it is economical and an easy alternative to open biopsy