Practical Application of Sample Collection Techniques/Diagnostic Tools in Neoplasia

Lecture 24

Are all neoplasms the same?

NO

Since all neoplasms are different, is there a universal cure all?

NO

Do the following characteristics match a cytology or a biopsy:

• quick

• easy, low cost, can be read by clinician

• minimal invasiveness/discomfort

• individual cells

• less diagnostic

• great cellular detail

cytology

Do the folowing characteristics match a cytology or a biopsy:

• time consuming

• more invasive

• formalin fixation/time

• anatomic pathologist reads

• less cell detail

• better tissue detail

biopsy

What usually dictates the types of samples we take?

finances/expenses/logistics

When in doubt?

call and ask an expert

You must have knowledge of the type of results you will get with each method performed, or you risk what?

wasting time and client’s money

What is the general rule of thumb when sampling for biopsy?

interface, we want to see tumor cells but also what they are doing to surrounding tissue

What should you submit for excisional biopsies?

the whole tumor

What should you submit for an incisional biopsy?

multiple sites from the mass

Splenic hemangiosarcomas need a minimum of how many sections sampled from the margin of a splenic hematoma?

8

What is the normal ratio of formalin to tissue?

9:1

What tells us how similar/dissimilar neoplastic cells are to normal counterparts?

tumor grade

What indicates the extent o tumor growth and spread in an animal?

tumor stage

What system is used for tumor staging?

TNM

What is the TNM system?

based on size of primary tumor (T), degree of lymph node involvement (N), and extent of metastasis (M)

What ancillary diagnostics can be used for tumor diagnosis?

• cytology/histopathology

• special staining

• clonality assay

• cytogenic anaylsis

• pedigree analysis

• molecular diagnostic techniques

On clonality assay, most neoplasms are what?

clonal

On clonality assay, inflammatory cells (lymphocytes) are what?

polyclonal