Dr.Ergete, Wondwossen (MD, Associate professor of pathology)Terefe, Lemlem2021-03-142023-11-052021-03-142023-11-052020-08http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/25469Background: Lymph node comprises an important part of defense system in the human body as it traps or filters foreign particles. Lymphadenopathy refers to lymph nodes with abnormal size, number or consistency (1). The cause of lymphadenopathy is varied and may be inflammatory or neoplastic process. There is a wide variation in pattern of disease in different age groups, gender and in various countries. The main aim of FNAC is for rapid diagnosis of lymphadenopathy with simple, accurate procedure and with minimum trauma and low cost. It identifies lymph node enlargements with malignant potential that requires treatment and those benign conditions that can be observed clinically. Methods and Materials: Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 771 lymphadenopathies cases in which FNAC was performed in patients referred to pathology laboratory of black lion hospital in the three years period (from January 01, 2018 to August 30, 2020). Results: Of the 771 lymph node FNAC biopsy specimens received, 409 (53%) were females and 362 (47%) were from males making F: M ratio of 1.13:1. with mean, lowest and highest age limits of 33.6 years, 3 month and 84 years respectively. Most of the patients were in the age range of 21-30 years accounting for 152(19.7%). Localized lymphadenopathy was observed in 638 (82.7%)cases. Cervical lymphadenopathy predominated, comprising 211 (27.4%)cases. Metastatic disease and reactive lymphadenitis were the major causes of lymphadenopathies constituting 256 (33.2%) and 176(22.83%) respectively. Metastatic tumor was commonest in adult females above 30 years and reactive lymphadenitis was the predominant cause of lymph node enlargement in age groups (0-30 years ) and rare above the age of 40 years. 166 (21.5%)lymphoma cases were seen out of these 132 (79.5%) of the cases were Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of these 67.4% occurred in males and 32.6% in females followed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma accounting 27(16.3%) and 63% cases were seen in males and 37% cases in females. 7 (4.2%) cases diagnosed as lymphoma only. Other benign lesions identified were; tuberculosis lymphadenitis constituting 83 (10.8%). Suppurative lymphadenitis 10 (1.3%)and other benign diseases 2(0.3%)were seen. Other malignant lesion identified in this study were non-specified malignant tumor, leukemic infiltration, myeloid sarcoma and plasmacytoma accounting 11 (2.5%), 4(0.9%), 2(0.5%) and 1(0.2%) respectively. Conclusion: In this study the majority of patients with lymphadenopathy had metastatic deposits commonly ductal carcinoma. Reactive lymphadenitis was the second most common pathology Followed by lymphoma.en-USFine needle aspiration cytology, lymph node, benign lesion, malignant tumorsThesis