Short Notes About Histopathology
HISTOPATHOLOGY: PAPANICOLAOU SMEAR
PAPANICOLAOU SMEAR screening test for cervical cancer invented by George Papanicolaou(Father of Cytopathology)when he found out that cells in the cervix change before they become cancerous. recommended starting 21 y/o to 65 y/o
Speculum – instrument used in the test
Importance/Clinical Siginificance:
For early detection of small tumors or pre-malignant cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Specimen: cells in the cervix; the doctor or nurse starts by inserting a speculum into the patient's vagina, spreading it open so that access to the cervix is possible and collects a sample of cells.
CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; pre-malignant transformation and abnormal growth of squamous cells in the cervix.
TWO METHODS:
1. Liquid – Based Cytology
This method uses an arrow-shaped brush and the sample is deposited into a small bottle of preservative liquid rather than putting it in a microscope slide.
Involves ThinPrep– it preserves the cells and minimizes cell overlap, blood, mucus and inflammation.
2. Conventional Pap Smear
This method uses a spatula to collect the sample and the cells are transferred into a microscope slide that can cause uneven layering, crowding and overlapping of cells making a correct diagnosis difficult under a microscope in the laboratory.
Cells collected can be obscured by blood, mucus and inflammation.
REFERENCE VALUES:
1. Liquid – Based Cytology
61% to 66% (range of sensitivity)
82% to 91% (range of specificity)
2. Conventional Pap Smear
30% to 87% (range of sensitivity)
14% to 33% (false negative rate)
NOTE:
Pap smears are not perfect and the screening will not be 100% accurate. But it is one of the best cancer prevention tool.
PREGNANCY TESTS
Pregnancy tests are designed to tell if your urine or bloodcontains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Margaret Crane is/was a US scientist that created the first at home pregnancy test (listed inventor on US Patent
PAPANICOLAOU SMEAR screening test for cervical cancer invented by George Papanicolaou(Father of Cytopathology)when he found out that cells in the cervix change before they become cancerous. recommended starting 21 y/o to 65 y/o
Speculum – instrument used in the test
Importance/Clinical Siginificance:
For early detection of small tumors or pre-malignant cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Specimen: cells in the cervix; the doctor or nurse starts by inserting a speculum into the patient's vagina, spreading it open so that access to the cervix is possible and collects a sample of cells.
CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; pre-malignant transformation and abnormal growth of squamous cells in the cervix.
TWO METHODS:
1. Liquid – Based Cytology
This method uses an arrow-shaped brush and the sample is deposited into a small bottle of preservative liquid rather than putting it in a microscope slide.
Involves ThinPrep– it preserves the cells and minimizes cell overlap, blood, mucus and inflammation.
2. Conventional Pap Smear
This method uses a spatula to collect the sample and the cells are transferred into a microscope slide that can cause uneven layering, crowding and overlapping of cells making a correct diagnosis difficult under a microscope in the laboratory.
Cells collected can be obscured by blood, mucus and inflammation.
REFERENCE VALUES:
1. Liquid – Based Cytology
61% to 66% (range of sensitivity)
82% to 91% (range of specificity)
2. Conventional Pap Smear
30% to 87% (range of sensitivity)
14% to 33% (false negative rate)
NOTE:
Pap smears are not perfect and the screening will not be 100% accurate. But it is one of the best cancer prevention tool.
PREGNANCY TESTS
Pregnancy tests are designed to tell if your urine or bloodcontains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Margaret Crane is/was a US scientist that created the first at home pregnancy test (listed inventor on US Patent