Diagnostic cytology and electron microscopy of fine needle aspirates of retroperitoneal lymph nodes in the diagnosis of metastatic pelvic neoplasms.

Ten patients with abnormal pelvic lymphangiograms underwent fluoroscopically directed percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of retroperitoneal lymph nodes. In all cases, the primary diagnosis had already been established by biopsy or resection. In nine cases, aspiration cytology was positive for the same cell type identified in the primary neoplasm. In one of these nine cases, electron microscopy was utilized to further study the malignant cells in the aspirate. In the tenth case, the aspirate was negative for tumor, and the patient continues to be followed. Cytologic confirmation of lymphangiographically positive or suggestive nodes is useful in pelvic neoplasms and may obviate exploratory surgery in assessing the extent of disease and aid in planning therapy.