Cancer Lymphoma Diagnosis How Cytopathology Works By Indranil Mallick, MD twitter linkedin Indranil Mallick, MD, DNB, is a radiation oncologist with a special interest in lymphoma. Learn about our editorial process Indranil Mallick, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD on October 24, 2020 linkedin Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Review Board Douglas A. Nelson, MD Updated on November 16, 2020 Print Cytopathology and cytology are diagnostic processes by which the cells obtained from biopsy, fluid samples, scrapings, or brushings are specially prepared and examined with a microscope. These tests are used to examine single cells or small clusters of cells and to assess whether they are normal or show signs of disease. Cytopathology and cytology reports describe findings that help determine whether or not the examined cells have characteristics of illnesses, like infection, inflammation, or cancer. Cytopathology is the study of disease at the cellular level. "Cyto" refers to cell and "pathology" to disease. STEVE GSCHMEISSNER / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Uses Cytology can be done as a screening test or a diagnostic test. For example, the Pap smear is a cytology test used to screen for abnormal cells on the cervix, even when there is no sign of disease. This type of test is useful when there may not be any outward symptoms of illness and the cells are relatively easy to sample. Cytology can also be done to assist in the diagnosis when there is a known or suspected disorder, such as when a fine needle aspiration is used to sample cells from a tumor. Process Cells examined for cytopathology can come from fluids such as urine or sputum or may be extracted from tissue, such as from inside the chest or abdomen. Cells can also be extracted by inserting needles into growths or diseased areas or tissues—such as with a fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) procedure. The cells are concentrated, plated, and stained on slides so they can be examined under the microscope. FNAC is a common test used to identify the spread of lymphoma with samples taken from lymph nodes or other body tissues. However, the initial diagnosis of lymphoma usually requires a larger sample from a biopsy. Cytopathology vs. Histopathology A pathology department in a hospital is set up to do different kinds of tests on cells and tissue samples, whether from FNAC or from a larger sample, such as an excisional biopsy. Some aspects of a disease can be inferred based on the characteristics of individual cells—including the appearance of the nucleus, the presence of cellular proteins, and the cell’s morphology (shape). Other aspects of disease stand out only when the cells are examined along with other nearby cells. That’s where histopathology comes in. Histopathology usually refers to whole slices of tissue being viewed and evaluated under the microscope. While cytopathology relates to abnormalities found within—or expressed by—individual cells, histopathology extends the analysis so that pathologists can see abnormalities related to attachments between cells, and explore whether the cell appears normal given its location within the tissue. This is sometimes referred to as "histological architecture," which can be important in the evaluation of the appearance of conditions such as cancer. Also known as: Cytology report, cytopath Related terms: HistopathologyImmunohistochemistryMolecular cytopathologyCytogeneticsMolecular diagnostics Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Crothers BA, Chandra A. Proceedings of the American Society of Cytopathology companion session at the 2019 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology meeting Part 1: towards an international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology. J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2019;8(6):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jasc.2019.08.006 Chen YH, Gong Y. Cytopathology in the diagnosis of lymphoma. Cancer Treat Res. 2014;160:211-40. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38850-7_9 American Cancer Society. Testing biopsy and cytology specimens for cancer. Additional Reading Lee HJ, Thompson J, Wang ES, et al. Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Current treatment and future perspectives. Cancer. 2011;117(8) 1583–1594. Somoza AD, Aly FZ. Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology. CytoJournal. 2014;11:5. Yohe S. Molecular Genetic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Ustun C, Godley LA, eds. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2015;4(3):460-478.