Fine needle aspiration cytology of cutaneous metastases.

By fine needle aspiration biopsy, 58 cases of cutaneous metastases were clinically and cytologically diagnosed at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital from January 1987 to December 1990. Immunologic and electron microscopic studies affirmed the diagnosis and in some instances defined the primary neoplasm. The age of the patients ranged from 54 to 83 years (mean, 65). All were men. Two groups of patients emerged: group 1, 37 patients with known cancer, constituted the majority (64%). Group 2 consisted of 21 patients with cutaneous metastasis as the presenting sign (36%). Our patient survival times, a few weeks to 16 months (average, 4 months) are consistent with previous reports.