Cytology Flashcards
Give some advantages of cytology
Quick, easy, inexpensive, non-invasive, minimal risk. Used as a screening tool to determine next step.
Give some disadvantages of cytology
Relies on quality of sample, limited by person examining smears
What types of sample can be taken for cytology?
Aspirations and imprints, or fluids can be collected (e.g. body cavities, joints, CSF)
What are fine needle biopsy’s used for? When would you use fine needle aspiration?
For solid or fluid filled masses. Use FNA when FNB does not work.
What are the aims when making a good smear preparation? (3)
Thin areas with good cell spread, minimise cell damage, minimise blood content.
What types of collection tube would be used for the collection of fluids for a) clot prevention b) bacteriology?
A) EDTA
B) Sterile pot
How would you differentiate inflammation from neoplasia?
Inflam - dominated by inflam cells.
Neoplasia - dominated by tissue cells.
May be both present - need experience!
How would you differentiate between septic and non-septic inflammation?
Septic - contains bacteria, degenerate neutrophils, must see INTRACELLULAR bacteria.
Non-septic - No bacteria, neutrophils are non-degen
If there is an increased number of macrophages, which kind of inflam would this suggest? What about if there were also increased neutrophils?
Granulomatous inflammation (Mycobacterium sp). If increased neutrophils also, suggests pyolomatous inflam (fungal infection)
What do round cells look like? Give some examples of round cell tumours.
Individual cells, small to medium, round to oval, well defined cell borders. Tumours: Lymphoma, Mast cell tumour, Plasmacytoma, Histiocystoma
What do epithelial cells look like? Give an example of a benign and malignant epithelial derived tumour
Often found in sheets/rafts, large cells, cell to cell junction, nuclei round, lots of cytoplasm.
Adenoma (B), Carcinoma (M)
What do mesenchymal cells look like? Give an example of a benign and malignant mesenchymal derived tumour.
Individual cells or clumps, small to medium, spindle/fusiform/stellate, indistinct borders, elongated nucleus. Fibroma (B), Fibrosarcoma (M)
Give some examples of the criteria of malignancy of a neoplasm.
Anisocytosis, Macrocytosis, Anisokaryosis, multinucleation, macrokaryosis, high nuclear:cytoplasm ratio, increased or abnormal mitotic figures, coarse chromatin, nuclear derforming, macronucleoli, variation in nucleolar size and shape
How many criteria of malignancy would you need to see before calling it a malignant tumour?
3
