principles of cytology Flashcards
What should you be assessing when assessing a cytological sample? x10 magnification
Quality:
- any/many cells?
- well preserved?
Background:
- haemorrhage?
- debris?
Predominant cells
What should you be assessing when assessing a cytological sample? x40 magnification
Cells:
- single or mixed population?
- cell size, shape and variation
- nucleus
What are the 2 approaches for cytology?
unknown masses
known tissues
What should you be considering when assessing the cytology of an unknown mass?
Inflammatory?
Cystic content?
Neoplasia? (mainly tissue cells)
What are the categories of cavity effusions?
Protein poor
Protein rich
Exudate (inflammatory)
What should you be looking for when assessing the cytology of a cavity effusion?
Neutrophils:
- degenerative/non-degenerate
- bacteria
Lining cells:
- reactive mesothelial cells
Other cell types
What is the cytological criteria of malignancy?
Cellular
Nuclear
Cytoplasmic
describe the cellular criteria of malignancy
Cells ‘alien’ to their position
Pleomorphism within a cell type (variation in cell shape)
Monomorphic cell population where there should be a variation (e.g., lymphoid)
High and/or variable nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio
describe the nuclear criteria of malignancy
Variation in shape/size (anisokaryosis)
Multiple, fragmented or moulded nuclei
Clumped chromatin
Multiple/irregular nucleoli
Abnormal mitotic figures
Describe the cytoplasmic criteria of malignancy
Basophilia/ hyperchromasia
There may be vacuolation, granularity or phagocytosis of other cells.
What is lymphadenopathy?
swollen lymph nodes
What are the 4 main causes of lymphadenopathy?
Reactive hyperplasia
Lymphadenitis
Metastatic neoplasia
Lymphoma
Describe the features of lymphadentitis
Lymph node inflammation
Increased neutrophils, macrophages or eosinophils
Inflammatory cells may be mildly increased or completely replace normal structure
Eosinophilic = allergic e.g., insect bite
Granulomatous or pyogranulomatous = fungal or protozoal
Describe the features of reactive hyperplasia
Cytologically indistinguishable from ‘normal’
Heterogenous cell population
High conc of small lymphocytes
Low % of medium and large cells
May have plasma cells or macrophages
Few neutrophils, eosinophils and mast cells
Give examples of metastatic neoplasia
Carcinoma cells
Myeloproliferative disorders
Mast cells
Melanoma cells
Describe the features of lymphoma
Increased % of large immature lymphocytes
More mitoses than reactive
More tingible body macrophages
More lymphoglandular bodies
What are tingible body macrophages?
a type of macrophage that remove apoptotic cells from lymph nodes
