Lymph Node Metastases

Any malignant tumour can metastasize to the head and neck lymph nodes with specific stations prevalence. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of lymph node can identify lymph node metastases of known or unknown tumors; it may confirm clinical diagnoses and contribute to the staging and prognostic-predictive evaluations. Ultrasound guide may assist the needle guidance and the sampling of specific lymph node areas. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is mandatory for accurate FNAC diagnosis of metastases; it can be set up on fixed or destained smears, cytospins, and cell block sections. Immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and molecular tests may be utilized to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers on FNAC samples.