Lymphangiography in the determination of the extent of metastatic carcinoma: the potential value of percutaneous lymph node biopsy.

In determining the extent of disease in patients with carcinoma, lymphangiography when read as positive has an accuracy of 90 to 95%. When considered negative 15 to 20% prove to have metastatic disease. the recent use of percutaneous transperitoneal aspiration biopsy of previously opacified lymph nodes has enhanced the value of lymphangiography. Eighty percent of the aspiration biopsies yield sufficient tissue for cytologic diagnosis.