Growing Indication for FNA to Study and Analyze Tumor Heterogeneity at Metastatic Sites

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Beca, F (Author) Other; Fernando Schmitt (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Cancer Cytopathology

Vol. 122

Pages: 504-511

ISSN: 1934-662X

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-RVJ

DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21395

Abstract (EN): In routine practice, suspected metastases in patients with cancer are only occasionally biopsied, primarily because of the cost and invasiveness of the procedure. However, biopsies of metastatic lesions can be valuable, not only in confirming the presence of metastatic disease, but also in revealing unsuspected benign disease or secondary malignancies. In addition, such biopsies also allow the assessment of biomarkers that might differ from those on primary tumor cells, and can thereby facilitate selection of the optimal treatment. Because of the increasing recognition of clonal and phenotypic heterogeneity of tumors, we anticipate that in the near future, biopsying of metastatic lesions will constitute a standard-ofcare practice, allowing assessment of molecular differences between the primary tumor and metastatic lesions. In our opinion, fine-needle aspiration is currently the best method for making repeated biopsies to monitor the tumor: it is minimally invasive, safe, and cost effective and can be coupled with modern ancillary techniques. Here we provide an up-todate review of the clinical implications of tumor heterogeneity in metastatic disease and the ancillary molecular techniques used in cytology; we also discuss the role of modern cytology in contemporary diagnosis and management of metastatic cancer. (c) 2014 American Cancer Society.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8