A cytology exam is used to look for cancer and precancerous cells.
It may also be done for other conditions, such as identifying systemic lupus erythematosus cells.
Occasionally, microorganisms can be seen in cytology too, but in general, they are best identified by culture..
Cytologic features of malignant neoplasms include: Increased nuclear size (with increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio--N/C ratio).
Variation in nuclear or cell size (pleomorphism).
Lack of differentiation (anaplasia)..
What is cytology? 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..
Cytological examination plays an important role in the initial work-up of the serous cavity effusion fluids to find out the possible etiology as benign or malignant.
Among malignant effusions, cytology is helpful in determining the exact type, site, and stage of the tumor..
Criteria for malignancy include the following: variation in cell size and shape, increased cell exfoliation, increased nuclear size, increased nucleus:cytoplasm ratio, variation in nuclear size and an increase in multinucleated cells, increased mitosis with abnormal mitotic figures, a coarse and often clumped chromatin .
The criteria of malignancy are extremely varied, apparently reflecting many different pathophysiologies in specific microenvironments.
Criteria in Group 1 comprise tissue-level alterations that appear to relate to resistance to anoikis, alterations in cell adhesion molecules, and loss of apical-basal polarity.
The cytologic diagnosis is transmissible venereal tumor. (Wright-Giemsa; HP oil.) Neoplasms with a naked nuclei cytomorphology have a loosely adherent cellular arrangement with free nuclei.
This cytologic appearance is an artifact related to the fragile nature of these cells.
