Non-gynaecological Cytology
Pancreatic and biliary cytology
Anatomy and histology of the pancreas
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and other sampling methods
Reporting terminology
Normal cells
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic cysts
Solid tumors
Biliary tract cytology

Metastatic tumors

FNA is particularly useful in documenting a metastatic malignancy involving the pancreas.

  • Lung carcinoma (small cell and squamous cell)
  • Breast carcinoma
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Renal cell carcinoma

Because ductal cell adenocarcinoma is by far the most common pancreatic tumor, any aspirate showing cytologic features unusual for this diagnosis should raise the possibility of a metastasis. Although distinctive cytologic features may suggest the primary site, most cases require immunohistochemical stains and a thorough clinical history.

 

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