Cytology of pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids: A retrospective study of 2058 cases

Abstract

Purpose: Cytologic examination of fluid accumulated in a serous cavity is of paramount importance, because the presence of cancer cells in such a specimen denotes that the patient has cancer that is not only advanced, but also almost always inoperable and thus incurable. The purpose of this study was to define the role of diagnosing malignancy in effusions of serous cavities, and to report the current number and positivity rates of pleural, pericardial and peritoneal effusions submitted to our pathology department. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 2058 fluid specimens (1094 pleural, 908 peritoneal, and 56 pericardial) belonging to 1000 male and 1058 female patients, and which were evaluated in the pathology department during the period between January 1994 and March 1998. Specimens were reviewed, classified, and evaluated statistically. Results: 1645 cases were diagnosed as benign, 188 cases as malignant, 12 cases as suspicious, and 213 cases as unsatisfactory material. The malignant cases represented 9% of all cases, and most of them were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Adenocarcinomas are the most common tumors found in a serous cavity effusion. In most cases of a malignant effusion, a previously documented tumor exists. Nonmalignant effusions exceed malignant ones, and they are usually lymphocytic.