ABSTRACT
This prospective study was aimed at diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] by histopathological correlation, to study the cytological features of different soft tissue tumors, and use of special stains, immunohistochemistry to improve accuracy of cytological diagnosis wherever needed. Among 200 cases studied patients ranged in age from 8 days to 80 years with a mean age of 35.01 years. Male to female ratio was 1.06: 1. Solitary swellings were seen in 83% of cases and multiple swellings in 17%. The duration of the presenting complaints varied from four days to forty-five years. 92% were located in the subcutaneous plane. Benign tumors constituted 76% and malignant 16%. In 8% diagnosis was not possible. Specific diagnosis was possible in 93.42% of benign and 43.75% of malignant tumors. Morphological categorization was offered in 6.6% of benign and 40.6 % of malignant tumors. Diagnosis of malignancy without categorization was done in 15.63% of cases. Cytohistopathological correlation was done in 38 of 152 benign and 12 of 32 malignant tumors. Histopathological study comprised the benignancy and malignancy in all these cases without any false positive or false negative malignant cases. Grading of sarcomas of was applied to FNAC specimens of spindle cell sarcomas without the knowledge of the sarcoma type, which was helpful for the subsequent staging and treatment. Special stains, [PAS and oil red ‘O’] and immunohistochemistry has shown promise in confirming suspected case of tentative diagnosis.