Cytopathology
Cytopathology is the study of exfoliative cells form the human body. This study can be divided into three major categories:
- Gynaecological cytology (cervical screening for early detection of cervical cancer)
- Non gynaecological cytology (all types of body fluid examination)
- Fine needle aspiration cytology (CPS has the facilities to aspirate from any abnormal growth of the human body) – This must be arranged by appointment only.
Recommendation for Cytology specimens
- Conventional Cervical smears.
These smears are spray fixed IMMEDIATELY with a cytologic fixative containing alcohol and wax. Shake the spray can thoroughly. Hold 30cm away from the slide. If too close the cells may be blown off the slide or it may cause ice crystals to form which result in an artefact forming on the slides. The fine mist spray is applied in a sweeping motion over the slide. The slide is then left to dry.
- Liquid Based Cytology
CPS is pioneering a cost-effective Liquid-based cytology (LBC) test that has many advantages over the conventional smear test. LBC offers an opportunity for improvement to cervical screening through improved collection and preparation techniques designed to provide a more representative sample on the slide, better preservation and staining and less obscuring background material. All the cellular material removed from the cervix is rinsed from the sampler into a preservative fluid so that the entire sample is sent to the laboratory preserved in an optimal state. The adequacy is improved, inadequate rates drop, sensitivity can be at least maintained if not improved and specificity overall improved.
Please contact CPS for further details.
- Urine
The first early morning urine specimen of the day is not the most ideal one from a cytological perspective as the exfoliated cells often show degenerative changes as a result of lying in the urine for many hours. Therefore, the second subsequent urine specimen is often the best specimen from a cytological perspective. In all cases a fresh midstream urine sample should be obtained.
- Sputum
It is mandatory to get a good representative (deep cough) sample of the lower respiratory tract – this is evidenced by the presence of alveolar macrophages in the sample. If adequate instruction is not given to the patient, then the sputum specimens are poorly collected and contain mainly salivary material.