Cancer Cytopathology

Cancer Cytopathology is a branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. It is often used to aid in the diagnosis of cancer, but can also be used to study certain infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions.

Overview

Cytopathology is a diagnostic technique that examines cells from various body sites to determine the cause or the nature of disease. The first cytopathologic test developed was the Pap test which has been widely utilized in the last 50 years for screening and diagnosing of vaginal and cervical pathologies.

Cancer Cytopathology

In the context of cancer, cytopathology is often used to aid in the diagnosis of various forms of cancer. This is done by examining cells under a microscope to look for signs of cancer. The cells can be obtained through various methods, including fine needle aspiration, bronchoscopy, or during surgery.

Techniques

Fine Needle Aspiration

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses. In this technique, a thin, hollow needle is inserted into the mass for sampling of cells that, after being stained, will be examined under a microscope.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at your airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, a doctor can take samples of tissue or mucus for examination under a microscope.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cancer using cytopathology techniques is based on the examination of cells under a microscope. The cells are usually stained to highlight the various components, and the pathologist looks for abnormalities in the size, shape, and color of the cells and their components.

See Also

• Pathology
• Histopathology
• Cytology
• Cancer