[Application of aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of tumor lesions in children].

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) became increasingly popular for evaluating of both superficial and deep seated lesions, but its use in children has been limited. We report our recent experience with FNAC in the pediatric group. The study population included 34 males and 12 females and the age ranged between 11 months to 16 years. The aspirated sites were: testis (n = 14), lymph node (n = 12), bone (n = 9), pelvis (n = 2), retroperitoneum (n = 1), soft tissue (n = 6), lung (n = 1) and orbit (n = 1). The aims of FNAC were to diagnose a primary lesion (25 cases) and to document relapse of neoplastic disease (21 cases). Of the 46 aspirates, 28 were diagnosed as malignant, 4 as benign, 2 were inconclusive; in the remaining case the material was considered inadequate. Eleven out of 14 testicular cases were normal. FNAC diagnosis was confirmed either by histology (25 cases) or by the clinical evolution (18 cases). We conclude that FNAC can be considered a major diagnostic tool for the characterization of the tumoral lesions in childhood, both for diagnostic purposes and for evaluation of the progression of neoplasia. It may also provide useful information for guiding the therapeutical strategy.