A comparison between aspiration cytology and histological findings of ovarian masses

Abstract: Fine- needle (FNA) cytology of ovary is a simple method for evaluation of ovarian masses. But there is controversy about its reliability in differentiating between benign and malignant neoplasms. To evaluate the efficiacy of FNA cytology in the distinction between benign and malignant masses of ovary, we examined 55 fine needle aspirations from 55 women 14-74 years of age. The aspirations were performed on fresh resected ovarian masses, which were sent to the pathology department for intraoperative consultation. All smears wee papanicolaou- stained and studied in two stages. In the first stage the smears were studied without any clinical and gross pathologic information and in the second stage clinical and gross pathologic information was available. In the first stage the results were classified as benign, malignant and inconclusive. In the second stage there was no inconclusive case so the results were divided into benign and malignant. By comparing the cytologic results with histologic diagnoses (gold standard), the sensitivity and specifity of FNA cytology was determine in the two stages. In the first stage, 11 cases were considered inconclusive and the sensitivity and specifity of the method was 87.5% and 8.33%, respectively. In the second stage the sensitivity and specifity was 78.7% and 92.7%, respectively with no inconclusive case.We conclude that FNA cytology of ovary is a reliable method for distinction between benign and malignant ovarian masses.