Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration cytology in tumors of paediatric age group-a single institutional study

Abstract

Introduction: Paediatric tumors differ markedly from adult tumors in their nature distribution and prognosis. Cancer in children is an emerging major childhood killer. FNA is increasingly being employed in diagnosis of paediatric tumors because of its high diagnostic yield, rapidity and safety. Materials and methods: The observational study conducted in tertiary care hospital in Kashmir in 5 years conducted from July 2012 to July 2017.This study was carried out in patients of paediatric age group (0-14years), presenting clinically and radiologically with any accessible swelling in body, attending outdoor and indoor facility of SKIMS and referred to the department of pathology for FNAC. Results: Our study included 126 cases, 70 (55.6%) were females and 56 (44.4%) were males. Maximum numbers of cases were seen in 10-14 years age group. Benign lesions comprised of 56 (44.4%) cases and malignant cases comprised of 70 (55.6%) cases. Most of the benign cases were from soft tissue (37) followed by breast (13) and the most common benign tumors were hemangiomas (13.5%) followed by fibroadenomas(9.5%). Most common site of malignant tumors was lymph node (34 cases) and most common malignant tumor was Hodgkins lymphoma (13.5%) followed by non-Hodgkins lymphoma (11.1%). Histopathological correlation could be done in 64 benign and 49 malignant cases. Conclusion: To conclude, FNAC is a safe, rapid, reliable, minimally invasive, and cost-effective procedure with no morbidity. It may not replace the biopsy but can be used as an effective initial screening tool in superficial and deep seated lesions in pediatric age group. Histopathological correlation shows high diagnostic accuracy establishing the role of FNAC as an efficient initial investigative procedure.