Despite the obvious advantages of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in different fields of medicine, the rate of general acceptance of this technique has been decreasing in recent years, especially in certain organs, such as lymph nodes. As stated by the authors in the preface of this book, the application of FNAC in lymphoproliferative diseases remains one of the most controversial uses of this technique. Pathologists and hematopathologists are reluctant to accept cytopathology in which most of them have not been trained. Although cytological methods will never eliminate the need for a histologic diagnosis, clinical experience in recent decades has shown that aspiration biopsy has a definitive place in the management of lymph node diseases. Moreover, the incorporation of new technologies on cytological material, including immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular techniques, has been essential in driving tumor classification and providing prognostic and predictive information. This progress has created a new perspective for cytopathology and made the use of FNAC more attractive in all fields, including on lymphoproliferative processes. In the 10 chapters of this book, the authors provide an extensive revision of most of the pathologies that affect the lymph nodes, as well as show an important historical perspective. The technical procedures and the application of ancillary techniques are beautifully reviewed in Chapter 2. A total of 106 figures, distributed over 116 pages, offers the possibility to find most of the illustrative aspects of cytopathology in lymph nodes and in some extranodal sites involved in lymphoproliferative diseases. The figures are mostly in color with excellent quality, and are very illustrative and helpful for the daily routine. Illustrations of the main ancillary techniques are also depicted within the book. The organization and sequence of the chapters are appropriate, starting with the historical background, clinical applications and techniques, and subsequently covering the normal structure of the lymph node and the main diseases: lymphadenitis, non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, metastases, and histiocytic and dendritic proliferations. Due to its own specificities, a separate chapter is dedicated to pediatric lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, this book is not limited to the lymph node itself or lymphoproliferative diseases, having separate chapters for extranodal lymphoproliferative processes and metastases.

The book and its chapters are comprehensive. However, what makes this volume useful as a quick reference in any library is the clear text and appropriate use of tables and illustrations, summarizing important information, the cytomorphologic features, and ancillary findings for the reader. Additionally, and most importantly, the clinical correlates of the cytologic diagnosis and their implications are discussed and presented to the reader.

The authors of this book had a great responsibility in updating volume 18 of the Monographs in Clinical Cytology series (FNA Cytology in the Diagnosis of Lymphoma) written by Lambert Skoog and Edneia Tani, two remarkable cytopathologists. This huge challenge was accepted by Pio Zeppa and Immaculata Cozzolino, and I can testify to how successful they have been. An online version, allowing access to the book with any internet-enabled device, is what readers expect for a future new version.

Now it is time to enjoy the text and figures presented in this book, and to use it routinely in our practice.

Prof. Fernando C. Schmitt, Porto

Department of Pathology at the Medical Faculty of Porto University

Head of the Molecular Pathology Unit at IPATIMUP

General Secretary of the International Academy of Cytology

© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel
2018
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