Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology’s Role in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumor

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a cost-effective, minimally invasive technique for diagnosing a wide range of benign and malignant lesions. However, there are a number of reasons why its use is limited in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, such as the fear of tumor cells spilling into the peritoneal cavity and the difficulty of subtyping with cytology alone. In experienced hands, FNAC is a safe, cost-effective procedure with acceptable diagnostic accuracy. In ovarian cystic lesions, secondary degenerative changes and the sample’s low cellularity were the primary causes of false negative FNAC results. Preparing cell block can partially avoid this, so we recommend doing so. All of the clinical and sonographic findings, in addition to the FNAC findings, the preparation of the cell block, and the application of immunohistochemistry, need to be taken into consideration in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.