[Preliminary elaboration of the method of specimen collection using fine-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma in children].

Fine needle punction proposed by Martin and Ellis in 1931, is a safe method of diagnosis by means of cytology making possible tumoral verification. In group of 24 children with RMS treated in Clinical Department of Child Oncology, Institute of Mother and Child Warsaw during last 2 years, fine needle punction was made in 7 cases. Precise diagnosis was possible after cytological examination in 2 cases. Non-precise diagnosis confirming malignant tumor only, was done in 3 cases. In resting 2 cases there were no material for evaluation, by means of cytology. Anyhow there was tissue material for histopathological examination. No complications in our material was observed. Fine needle punction is a safe method but requires personal experience of the surgeon and pathologist who performed cytological examination. Method seems to useful in advanced tumors when surgery is limited. Precise diagnosis is possible in short time, and early treatment can be done.