ABSTRACT:

Aims: This study was undertaken to describe the common metastases to different groups of lymph nodes and to underline the importance of FNA as a diagnostic tool in malignant disease of lymph nodes

Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the department of pathology, Assam Medical College over a period of one year. Study design : Cross sectional study.

Methods and Material: A one year retrospective study was carried out on all malignant lymph node aspirates. Inadequate smears were excluded from the study.Statistical analysis used: Rates and proportions using percentage

Results: A total of 151 cases showed evidence of malignant disease with a male female ratio of 2.6:1 and age range of 15 yrs to 85 yrs. 10.6% of the cases were lymphomas and 89.4% were metastatic malignancy . Cervical group (102 cases) was most commonly involved followed by supraclavicular nodes (21 cases). Axillary nodes(10 cases), submandibular (9 cases),inguinal (4 cases), pre auricular(2 cases) , abdominal nodes (2 cases) and pre tracheal (1 case) constituted the rest. The most common type of lymphoma was non Hodgkin’s lymphoma whereas the most common type of metastasis was squamous cell carcinoma(80 cases) followed by adenocarcinoma (21 cases).

Conclusions: Of malignant diseases of lymph node, metastatic malignancy was commonest. The cervical group was the most frequent site of lymph node metastasis with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common type. Non Hodgkins lymphoma was found to be commoner than Hodgkins lymphoma.

Keywords: Fine needle aspiration, lymphadenopathy, metastasis

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