Aspiration biopsy of palpable lymph nodes and the diagnosis of lung carcinoma.

Over a six-year period at this institution aspiration biopsy of palpable lymph nodes has been used in the diagnosis and follow-up of 40 primary lung cancers. Small cell carcinoma was the commonest cell type. In the majority of the patients this was the initial diagnosis of lung cancer, however, there were patients with recurrence after chemotherapy and after surgical management. Diagnosis and classification of tumour using this simple, rapid and safe procedure negates the need for more invasive and costly investigations.