Cytology & Changes in Cell Morphology in Disease

Flashcards for key vocabulary related to cytology and cell morphology changes in disease.

Histology

Microscopic study of tissues.

Cytology

Microscopic study of cells.

Papanicolaou stain

A universal stain for cytological preparations.

Papanicolaou test (Pap smear)

Revolutionized the early detection of cervical cancer.

Exfoliative cytology

Cells spontaneously shed by the body into body fluids.

Abrasive cytology

Cells obtained directly from the surface of the target of interest.

Intervention cytology/ aspiration cytology

Fine-needle aspiration

Methods of abrasive cytology

Scraping, brushing, or washing to obtain cells from a surface.

Cervical sample collection

A liquid-based medium where a cervical sample is collected.

Pap smear

Used as a screening test for cervical cancer; cells scraped from the cervix.

Conventional pap smear

Requires immediate alcohol fixation on slide before proceeding to Pap stain.

ThinPrep PAP test

27% more effective than the original PAP smear.

Reflex LBC (ThinPrep)

Checks for any cell changes caused by HPV, like early signs of cancer.

Pap stain

Highlights cellular details and stains nucleus and cytoplasm.

Consequences of air-dried samples in Papanicolaou staining

Increase in eosinophilic staining, apparent nuclear enlargement, and poor staining.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Most common type of cervical cancer.

HPV types 16 and 18

Two human papillomaviruses responsible for nearly 50% of high-grade cervical pre-cancers.

Stage 0 cervical cancer

Abnormal cells in the innermost lining of the cervix.

ASCUS

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

AGUS

Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance

LSIL

Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

HSIL

High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

Potentially hazardous specimens in cytology

Sputum, urine, blood, and less common bodily fluids

Cellular changes associated with Herpes simplex virus

Multinucleation, molding, and small intranuclear chromatin granules

Abnormal cervical smear results

Grouped as: Infection, Reactive changes, Epithelial cell abnormalities (ASCUS, AGUS), Unsatisfactory result

Cell arrangement morphology parameters

Papillary configurations, glandular structures, follicles, rosettes, pearls

Nucleus morphology parameters

Size, shape, alterations of the nuclear membrane and chromatin

Infections found in descriptive diagnosis

Trichomonas vaginalis, Fungal organism, Bacteria, Herpes simplex virus

Reactive changes in descriptive diagnosis

Inflammation, Atrophy, Radiation, IUD

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Acid fast bacilli

Gastrointestinal tract specimen types

Scrapings, Brushings, Transmucosal FNA, Endoscopic Ultrasound

Common sites for palpable lesions in FNA

Breast, Thyroid, Soft tissue, Lymph nodes

Specimens for Cytocentrifugation

Urine, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Necrosis features

Enlarged cell size, disrupted plasma membrane, frequent inflammation

Apoptosis features

Reduced cell size, intact plasma membrane, no inflammation

Karyolysis

Nuclear fading

Pyknosis

Nuclear shrinkage

Karyorrhexis

Nuclear dissolution

Squamous Metaplasia

Columnar cells replaced by squamous cells