Week 6 Flashcards
What is cytology?
The scientific study of the structure and function of cells.
What are the two main types of cytology?
Gynaecology (cervical) and non-gynaecology (non-cervical).
What types of body fluids are commonly examined in cytology?
Body fluids such as urine and sputum
What is cytomorphology?
The assessment of cellular structure by trained clinicians via light microscopy, fundamental to diagnostic cytopathology
What is the role of diagnostic non-gynaecological cytology?
It involves the interpretation of exfoliated cells or cells removed from tissues for diagnostic purposes.
What are some advantages of cytology?
Quick sample collection, inexpensive, low risk to the patient, and used alongside histopathology for accurate diagnosis.
What are some disadvantages of cytology?
Difficulty in localizing neoplastic lesions, distinguishing between dysplastic and neoplastic changes,
What are the three main sample collection techniques in cytology?
Exfoliation, aspiration, and abrasion.
Who introduced cytology as a diagnostic tool and when?
Papanicolaou in 1942.
What is exfoliation in cytology?
The natural shedding of cells from epithelial surfaces, often used in cytology for non-invasive sample collection.
What are some examples of naturally exfoliated cells used for diagnosis?
Cells from sputum (expectorated), urine (catheter), and nipple discharge (naturally expressed).
What are the advantages of exfoliative cytology?
Simple, rapid, pain-free, non-invasive, and low risk for the patient.
How do exfoliated cells differ in normal and malignant conditions?
In normal conditions, cells exfoliate upon maturation. In malignant conditions or infections, exfoliated cells show morphological variations.
How do exfoliated malignant or inflamed cells appear microscopically?
They form small clusters without order, appear spherical, and are susceptible to degenerative changes.
What is sputum cytology used to detect?
Pulmonary diseases such as infections and lung cancer.
What does sputum consist of in cytology?
Secretions from alveolar spaces, including macrophages, inflammatory cells, epithelial cells, and mucoid substances.
Why is sputum cytology tested?
To diagnose conditions like Streptococcus pneumonia infections and lung cancer.
What is urine cytology used for?
To detect carcinoma, high-grade neoplasms, and monitor disease progression.
What is abrasion cytology?
A method where cells are collected by physical force, resulting in well-preserved, cohesive aggregates.
What are some examples of abrasion cytology techniques?
Brushings (bronchus, biliary tract cancers, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic and gallbladder cancer)
Scrapings (skin, nipple)
Imprints (breast sentinel lymph node)
What medical imaging technique assists in abrasion cytology?
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) for sampling nearby lymph nodes.
What is Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)?
A technique where cells are removed via a fine needle, often guided by imaging, for cytological examination.
What is the purpose of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology?
To detect pre-malignant or malignant cells and the spread of neoplastic disease in the CNS.
What are common sites for FNA collection?
Eye (vitreous humor - melanoma, lymphoma)
Lung (infections, malignancy)
Abdominal cavity (peritoneal fluid - malignancy)
Lymph nodes, thyroid, salivary glands, GI tract, breast (most common in Breast Screening Programme)
