Histopathology Flashcards
What is histopathology?
Examination of tissues
What is cytopathology?
Examination of individual cells
What are the 3 types of tissue samples?
- Biopsies
- Resection specimens
- Frozen specimens
What do histopathologists do?
Examine tissues
- Analyse biopsies, resection specimens, frozen specimens and post-mortems
What do cytologists do?
Examine individual cells
What are the 2 purposes of tissue sections?
- Diagnoses
- Determine efficacy of treatment
What is a biopsy
Small section of tissue removed from patient
How are biopsies taken? (5)
- Small section of tissue surgically removed
- Preserved in formalin
- Embedded in paraffin wax
- Microtome slices to thin sections (2-3 micrometres)
- Mounted on a slide —> further prep eg. staining —> analysed under microscope
What solution is used to fix tissues during biopsy and why?
Formalin
Why are biopsies embedded in paraffin wax?
Allow microtome to slice very thing sections
What is used to obtain think slices from a biopsy?
Microtome
What is a microtome?
Instrument used to cut extremely thin slices (biopsy)
How can a biopsy be used in cancer diagnosis?
Diagnose type of cancer
What is a resection specimen?
Tissue sample removed during a surgical procedure
What are resections primarily used for?
See stage of disease
What can resection specimens be donated to?
BioBanks —> research pathology
What are frozen sections?
Fresh tissue frozen and analysed during a surgical procedure
When are frozen sections analysed?
Whilst a surgical procedure is occurring
How long do frozen sections take?
30 mins
How are frozen sections taken? (3)
- Fresh tissue taken
- Cryostat freezes tissue
- Tissue cut, mounted and stained —> analysed under microscope
What machine is used to obtain frozen sections?
Cryostat
What are the 2 conditions of the tissue needed for a frozen section?
- Fresh
- No preservatives (no formalin used)
How long do biopsies take?
2-3 days
How long do resection sections take?
5-7 days
What is a tissue smear?
Thin layer of tissue/cells spread onto a microscope slide
What are the 2 modes of cytology analysis?
- Smears
- Fine needle aspirate