The value of aspiration cytology in the definitive staging of bladder carcinoma.

Aspiration cytology is a simple, accurate and minimally invasive procedure in staging urological neoplasms. Percutaneous fluoroscopy-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of 99 lymph nodes was performed in 30 patients with bladder carcinoma and 62 lymph node chains were evaluated. Aspiration biopsy is more accurate and specific than lymphography in the pre-operative staging of the neoplasm and represents a useful diagnostic procedure for the staging of bladder carcinoma.