What Does Cytology Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cytology is

the exam of a single cell type

, as often found in fluid specimens. It’s mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer. It’s also used to screen for fetal abnormalities, for pap smears, to diagnose infectious organisms, and in other screening and diagnostic areas.

What is a cytology test done for?


Diagnosing diseases

by looking at single cells and small clusters of cells is called cytology or cytopathology. It’s an important part of diagnosing some types of cancer.

What does cytology mean in medical terms?

Cytology is

the exam of a single cell type

, as often found in fluid specimens. It’s mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer. It’s also used to screen for fetal abnormalities, for pap smears, to diagnose infectious organisms, and in other screening and diagnostic areas.

What is an example of cytology?

For example, a common example of diagnostic cytology is

the evaluation of cervical smears

(referred to as the Papanicolaou test or Pap smear). In order for cytologic evaluation to be carried out, the material to be examined is spread onto glass slides and stained.

What does a cytology report show?

Cytology is the examination of cells from the body under a microscope. In a urine cytology exam, a doctor looks at cells collected from a urine specimen to see how they look and function. The test commonly checks for

infection, inflammatory disease of the urinary tract, cancer, or precancerous conditions

.

What is abnormal cytology?

Urine cytology is

a test to look for abnormal cells in your urine

. It’s used with other tests and procedures to diagnose urinary tract cancers, most often bladder cancer. Your doctor might recommend a urine cytology test if you have blood in your urine (hematuria).

What are the two types of cytology?

There are two main kinds, or branches, of cytology:

exfoliative cytology and intervention cytology

. Healthcare providers can use cytology tests for almost all areas of your body. Some common types of cytology tests include: Gynecologic cytology.

How accurate are cytology test?

Many studies have evaluated the accuracy of urine cytology in the detection of bladder cancer. Overall, the reported

sensitivity ranges from 20% to 97.3%; specificity ranges from 74% to 99.5%

.

What are the advantages of cytology?

  • Safe. The procedures that are used to get cytological samples are extremely safe. …
  • Simple. It is well known that getting most cytological samples is simple. …
  • Quick. …
  • Cost effective.

What is histopathological diagnosis?

Histopathology is

the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues

, and involves examining tissues and/or cells under a microscope. Histopathologists are responsible for making tissue diagnoses and helping clinicians manage a patient’s care.

What is cytology infection?

The infection can be

diagnosed

by the cytopathologist from the appearances of multinucleate giant cells in Papanicolaou smears. The cytological diagnosis of this infection is of value to the gynecologist in identifying subclinical infection and in confirming clinically suspicious disease.

What is the difference between cytology and biopsy?

However, the emphasis in cytological examination is on cellular changes. In biopsy, we

can study tissue patterns and inter-relationships as well as cellular changes

.

What is suspicious cytology?

A cytology report recorded as suspicious is

not considered as diagnostic of cancer

and unless supported by a positive biopsy (as reported on a pathology report) or by a clinical impression of cancer, these cases should not be abstracted.

What is a gynecological cytology report?

Gynecological cytology, also known as the PAP test or Thin Prep, involves

observing a cervical sample under a microscope in order to screen for cervical cancer

. Negative results are those indicating a “negative” result, “no malignancy,” or “no intraepithelial lesions.”

What is fluid cytology?

A cytology exam of pleural fluid is

a laboratory test to detect cancer cells and certain other cells in the area that surrounds the lungs

. This area is called the pleural space. Cytology means the study of cells.

Does HPV mean my husband cheated?

A new onset of

HPV does not necessarily mean that infidelity has taken place

. Research confirms that a healthy immune system can clear HPV in 12 to 24 months from the time of transmission.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.