FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF SOFT TISSUE TUMOR OF LOWER EXTREMITIES WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and utility of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the identification of soft tissue tumors (STTs) of the lower extremities in a rural hospital setting in South India. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted over one year, involving 98 patients who underwent FNAC for suspected STTs of the lower extremities. FNAC results were compared with subsequent histopathological diagnoses to assess sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).