Indications of respiratory tract cytology
Compared with the remarkable success of the Pap smear in detecting and preventing cervical cancer, respiratory cytology (mostly sputum) has been a disappointment as a mass screening test for lung cancer. The problem is not lack of accuracy (sensitivity or specificity), but rather that even in high-risk patients (such as male smokers older than 45 […]
Cell sampling and preparation methods
Respiratory cytomorphology is heavily dependent on specimen type and preparation. Cell sampling and preparation methods are crucial for a correct cytologic interpretation. In the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, bronchoscopic methods are usually the first approach for central lesions; if negative, fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology can be performed. FNA cytology is particularly useful for peripheral […]
Sputum
Sputum consists of a mixture of cellular and non-cellular elements cleared by mucociliar apparatus. It is easy to obtain and cause little or no patient discomfort, but its use is declining because of the advent of bronchoscopy and fine needle aspiration. The sensitivity of sputum cytology for the diagnosis of malignancy increases with the number […]