Role of FNAB in the follow-up of cancer patients.

The utility of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was checked in the diagnosis of 187 neoformations which arose in the same number of patients during follow-up after treatment for malignant neoplasia. FNAB diagnosis was 138 malignant lesions (9 primary and 129 secondary) and 49 benign lesions (8 neoplastic and 41 nonneoplastic). 157 of the 187 diagnoses (83.95%) were controlled: 124 histologically (78.98%) and 33 clinically (21.01%). Specificity was 100%, sensitivity 98.36%, predictive negative value 94.59% and total diagnostic efficiency 98.72%. The reliability of the method and the usefulness of the findings from the therapeutic point of view suggest the advisability of performing FNAB during the post-diagnostic phase of neoplastic disease.