A new syringe for fine needle aspiration biopsy.

In order to improve the technique of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), we developed a disposable syringe that allows one to perform aspiration with one hand while eliminating the need for a classic syringe holder. This study compared the cellularity and diagnostic adequacy of the material obtained with the new syringe and a syringe holder. Moreover, the acceptance of the new technique by physicians in training and by patients was tested.

DNA ploidy status in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

DNA ploidy status of tumour cells is becoming a part of patient's record, because it brings an objective assessment of diagnostic and prognostic significance. DNA ploidy status in diagnosis--DNA ploidy status of some tumour types can be used as an adjunct to cytologic or histologic examination and provide an additional diagnostic information. For example, small cell lung carcinoma cells may be difficult to differentiate from cells of other benign neuroendocrine tumours.

The application of immunocytochemical techniques to routinely-fixed and stained cytologic specimens. An aid in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated malignant neoplasms.

Routinely-fixed and Papanicolaou stained smears with the cytologic diagnosis of undifferentiated malignant neoplasm that had been prepared with cells obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy (n = 7), pulmonary lavage (n = 5), or thoracentesis (n = 3) from 15 unselected patients were stained by an immunocytochemical technique to evaluate the presence of keratin proteins and the leukocyte common antigen (LCA). Commercially available, well-characterized monoclonal antibodies with specificities for keratin proteins and the leukocyte common antigen, and a streptavidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase labelling method were used. Evaluation of the stained smears revealed the presence of one of the two antigens in material obtained from each patient, thus indicating the probable cell-lineage of the neoplastic cells.

Independent prognostic value of ploidy in colorectal cancer. A prospective study using image cytometry.

In a prospective study, the DNA content of Feulgen-stained nuclei obtained from fresh samples of 211 colorectal adenocarcinomas was evaluated by means of image analysis. The DNA histogram classification took into account aneuploidy and S-phase fraction for diploid cases. No significant relationship was found between ploidy and sex, age, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), size of the tumor, histologic differentiation, or Dukes' stage.