Cytology Flashcards
how long might a cytopatholoigical procedure last?
5 mins to 2 hours
how long does a diagnosis using cytopathology take?
minutes to 24 hours
how is a cytology sample taken?
using a fine needle
what basic stains are used in cytology?
PAP and H&E
how are cytology samples analysed in a lab?
slide and or paraffin block
how is a histopathology sample taken?
using a large needed and forceps
how long does a histopathological sample take to obtain?
30 mins to 2 hours
how long does histopathological diagnosis take?
24 - 48 hours
where is aspiration performed?
all superficial lumps
how might body cavities be used for biopsies?
samples taken from one of 3 layers of body cavity, or from fluid from cavity
what can body cavity biopsies be analysed for?
cytological changes and presence of biochemical markers
what is choice of stain influenced by?
cell type being analysed and pathology that is being looked for
what are the immunocytochemistry targets?
cytoplasmic targets, nuclear targets, cell membranes, lipids, proteins
what is the downside of fixation?
can change the immunocytochemical staining
how can staining be used to identify replicating cells?
antinuclear protein marker in red and chemical staining of DNA in blue allows division of cells to be seen
what is the most common method of analysing at sub-cellular level?
fluoresce and immunohistochemistry
what is necrosis?
unplanned and irreversible damage to the cell
what is apoptosis?
regulated cell death
how is detection of cancer cells increased?
cancer cell lose cohesive properties and so encourages shedding from tissue surfaces for detection
why might tumours suddenly shrink?
outstrips its own blood supply
what is a unique property of a malignant tumour?
its ability to metastasise
what is cancer metastasis?
involves the invasion of malignant cells into surrounding tissues
what is invasiveness of malignant cells related to?
mechanical pressure of growth, motility of malignant cells and the enzymes produced by the malignant cells
what is the structure of HPV?
small DNA virus
what is the mechanical function of the HPV virus?
injects DNA into host cell DNA
how can HPV cause production of cancer?
persistent infection leads to cells becoming damaged and pre-cancerous
what are the categories of HPV infection?
high risk causing intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancer and non high risk causing genital warts
what is the purpose of the NHS cervical screening programme?
reduce indidence and mortality of cervical cancer by detecting and treating potentially cancerous lesions in the cervix
what are the early detection sings of cells becoming cancerous?
borderline lesions, atypical epithelium, group III lesions and dysplasia
