Role of cytology in diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas with special reference to false positive cases

BACKGROUND: Histological diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas is a difficult job not only for diverse architecture of different variants but also for variability in picture among different parts of a single tumor. Thus, cytodiagnosis of these tumors is one of the most challenging jobs. AIMS: To evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of soft tissue malignancies and discuss the false-positive cases with particular reference to causes of misdiagnosis and possible ways of correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, we used cytology for categorization of 59 soft tissue malignancies according to predominant cell type and also on the basis of differentiation. RESULTS: Out of 59 cytodiagnosed malignant soft tissue tumors, 36 were classified as high grade and rest as low grade. Spindle cell sarcoma was the commonest diagnosis, followed by pleomorphic variant. Histological correlations were performed in 47 cases showing consistency in 41 cases. Rest six cases with disparity were further discussed to ascertain causes of failures and to chalk out possible plans to evade these pitfalls in future. CONCLUSIONS: Overall our study established the role of cytology in diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas with good cytohistological correlation rate (87.2%).