CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF LYMPHADENOPATHY: A HOSPITAL-BASED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Lymph nodes, a vital part of the body's defense system, are small, rounded or kidney-shaped structures of lymphoid tissue.They filter particulate matter and microorganisms from lymph fluid.[1] Lymph node enlargement, termed lymphadenopathy (LAP), can stem from various causes, including infectious diseases, neoplastic (cancerous) disorders, lipid storage diseases, endocrine disorders, and conditions like sarcoidosis and histiocytosis. [2] Due to this wide variety of etiologies, diagnosing LAP can be challenging and often requires extensive investigations. [3] Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective method for diagnosing superficial lymph node enlargement and guiding further investigation. Knowledge of the typical LAP patterns in a specific region is crucial for accurate diagnosis and suspicion of specific diseases. However, in many clinical settings, differentiating between reactive (non-cancerous) and neoplastic lymphadenopathy remains a challenge. [4] There is a significant gap in literature regarding the prevalence and underlying causes of LAP in India.[5] The present study aims to retrace the current patterns in the etiology of lymph node enlargement among urban population, and to examine the distribution of lesions among various age and sex groups. Here, knowledge about the pattern of lymphadenopathy is helpful to the clinician for solving the dilemma.