Fine needle aspiration cytology in Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, safe and cheap method for the screening and diagnosis of a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Being a relatively new diagnostic technique in Nigeria, scant information had been published on it. We conducted a nationwide study to describe the availability, organization and utilization of FNA in the country. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was done to describe the current state of the develop ment of FNAC in Nigeria. The respondents were pathologists and heads of pathology departments in leading medical institutions. RESULTS: It was found that the practice of cytology is widely disseminated throughout the country, with a growing number of pathologists who have taken an interest in cytology. But FNA in Nigeria faces many important challenges, not the least of which is the lack of opportunities for local training and continuing education in cytology. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, there is an immediate need for a comprehensive approach to cytopathology education in Nigeria.