Histopathology and Cytopathology

Question 1

What are the different histopathology samples ?

Answer 1

Biopsies
- You can inspect – is it normal, is it inflamed and cause, is it cancer and what type - 2-3-day turnaround

Resection specimens.
- You can inspect – how far has cancer spread and is it all out - 5-7-day turnaround.

Frozen sections

• These can be done RAPIDLY – i.e. during surgery
• This allows you to do frozen sections during cancer excision surgery to check if it’s all out.
• 30 minute turnaround

Post-mortems

• Hospital post-mortem – when family give permission after the family request it.
• Coroner’s post-mortem – state-ordered and no family permission required

Question 2

How are sections obtained and used?

Answer 2

Obtaining – fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax – thin slices can then be cut

Use – we can STAIN them, identify specific ANTIGENS (using antibodies) and carry out molecular tests

Question 3

What are different cytopathology samples?

Answer 3

Smears – such as cervical screening

Fine-needle aspirations (FNA)