Pathological Anatomy
Cytology
Pathological Anatomy
Cytology
Pathological Anatomy
Pathological Anatomy
Pathological Anatomy
Pathological Anatomy
Cytology is the discipline concerned with the study of the morphology of cells from different sources.
A cytological examination involves observing cells from the human body under a light microscope. These cells may be obtained through natural spontaneous exfoliation (e.g. sputum, urine samples, nipple discharge, etc.), exfoliation induced by pressure (e.g. nipple discharge on expression, aspiration of purulent material, etc.), scraping (e.g. Pap smear, nasal cytology, endometrial cytology, etc.), or by capillary action and/or aspiration (Fine Needle Aspiration / FNA / FNAB / FNAC) from various organs or tissues (thyroid, salivary glands, breast, lungs, etc.).
Below are the main cytological applications currently in use at our laboratory.
The Pap test (Papanicolaou Test) is one of the most important exams for screening for cervical cancer and helping prevent its development, by detecting the possible presence of Malignant Tumour Cells (MTCs) in the sample analysed.
While certain technical issues such as sampling methods or the use of staining products and techniques may affect the diagnostic value, the Pap test offers several advantages: it is quick to perform, minimally invasive, easy to process, and easily repeatable.
Our laboratory carries out over 100,000 Pap tests every year, using both conventional smear and liquid-based cytology. For the latter, we use BD SurePath™ technology, which, through a few simple steps, ensures:
– Fewer unsatisfactory results, meaning fewer repeat tests due to insufficient cellularity in the sample
– Greater diagnostic accuracy, improving the visibility of diagnostically relevant cells
– Greater diagnostic reliability, thanks to a unique cell enrichment process.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus in the general population and is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Most people carry the virus without knowing it. Around 100 different types of HPV are known, 14 of which are classified as high-risk (HR) due to their strong association with the development of cervical cancer.
The HPV test is used to detect the presence of high-risk HPV types in the cervico-vaginal area, even before any cellular changes become visible in the Pap test. Since HPV infection is a necessary condition for the development of cervical cancer, the HPV test enables the early identification of women at risk of developing the disease. A positive HPV test result does not necessarily mean that a woman will develop cervical cancer, but it helps specialists identify those at higher risk who should be monitored more closely.
This refers to the examination of normal or potentially abnormal cells from the respiratory tract, collected via sputum, bronchial lavage, or bronchial aspiration (performed during a bronchoscopy). The specimens are processed (fixation, staining, etc.) and then examined under the microscope.
Examples include nipple discharge, thyroid fine needle aspiration, or nasal scraping.
In cases of suspected pathology, superficial lesions, or specific diagnostic needs, cells can also be analysed when obtained through:
– Scraping – This method involves gently scraping the surface of a lesion (sometimes using the non-cutting edge of a microscope slide, where the cells will adhere) and sending the collected material for cytological examination. This procedure is painless for the patient;
– Secretions (typically nipple discharge): In this case, cells that naturally detach from the mammary gland can be carried through the ducts to the nipple and expelled along with the secretion (spontaneous discharge). Sometimes, slight pressure is applied to the areola to encourage release (induced discharge);
– Fine Needle Aspiration: When a nodule or an area of altered tissue is present and requires further investigation, a sample may be collected to study the cells and better understand their nature. This is known as Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA, also referred to as FNAB or FNAC). The sample is taken using a fine needle and syringe, often under ultrasound guidance, inserted into the nodule or glandular area in question. This is a minimally invasive technique and does not require local anaesthesia. It can also be used for lymph node aspiration when further evaluation is warranted.
Urinary cytology involves the detection of abnormal cells in urine. It is a test of fundamental importance for the evaluation (screening, diagnosis, and follow-up) of conditions affecting the urinary tract, particularly tumours of the ureteral and bladder urothelium.
This examination plays a key role in diagnosing medium- and high-grade papillary tumours and non-papillary carcinoma in situ.
You can explore here all the cytological tests available at our laboratory. Call us if you have any questions or concerns.