Objective — to estimate the possibilities of a cytological method in the differential diagnosis between reactive lymph node changes and malignant lymphomas and to determine the value of additional procedures (immunocytochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization) used on cytological material. Material and methods. A total of 277 fine-needle lymph node biopsy specimens were examined. Reactive changes in the lymph nodes were cytologically detected in 213 cases and malignant lymphomas were identified in 64 cases. Cytohistological comparisons were made; cytological findings and clinical data were compared in case of reactive changes. The value of immunocytochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization in establishing a diagnosis was estimated in 92 and 61 cases, respectively. Results. The clinical and histological comparison with cytological findings could correctly diagnose lymphoma in 61 of the 64 cases and reactive lymph node changes in 207 of the 213 cases. In 6 biopsy samples, there was false-negative cytological evidence for follicular lymphoma, that for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 3, 2, and 1 cases, respectively. Two cytological specimens of lymph nodes were considered suspicious of lymphoma, but clinically and histologically turned out to be reactive. In 1 case, the erroneous cytological diagnosis of lymphoma was made in metastatic small cell carcinoma. In the majority of cases, additional procedures (immunocytochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization) promoted a correct cytological diagnosis. Conclusion. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy along with cytological examination allows differential diagnosis between reactive lymph node changes and malignant lymphomas with a high degree (97%) of precision. Erroneous diagnoses reflect complexities in cytological diagnosis: insufficient material sampled or misdetermination of a cytological pattern. In most cases, cytological material may be used for additional studies that can objectify cytological data and considerably help a correct diagnosis.