Diagnostic evaluation of fine needle aspiration biopsy in lung cancer

To evaluate the yield of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology [FANC] in suspected lung cancer. Observational study. This study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology, Bolan Medical College Quetta from Jan 2009 to Aug 2009. Thirty Cases both male and female were included in the study. The lesion was localized with recent PA and Lateral Chest X-Rays and ultra sound. A 22 guage needle was attached to 10cc syringe. The needle was introduced into the lesion under local anaesthesia. On reaching the mass slight suction was applied and few in and out movements were made, the needle was taken out and 3-4 slides were made of the aspirate, fixed immediately with alcohol. Among thirty cases, malignancy was proved in 21 cases while in 3 cases FNAC was positive for malignancy but no call type was revealed. In six cases malignancy was not found. Among proven 21 cases 14 had squamaus call carcinoma, 6 had Adeno carcinoma and one had small call carcinoma. FNAC of the peripheral lung lesions is a safe, quick and reliable method of establishing diagnosis of lung cancers where bronchoscopic help is not available or the tumor is not with in reach of bronchoscope