Cytologiundersökningar

Cytologiundersökningar, often translated as cytological examinations or studies, are medical investigations that involve the microscopic examination of individual cells or small groups of cells. These cells are typically collected from bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid, or from tissue scrapings or fine-needle aspirates. The primary purpose of cytological examinations is to detect abnormalities in cell structure and morphology, which can indicate the presence of disease, most notably cancer.

The process usually begins with the collection of a sample. This can be done through various methods depending on the location from which cells are to be obtained. Once collected, the cells are often prepared onto a glass slide, stained to enhance visibility of cellular components, and then examined under a microscope by a cytologist or pathologist. They look for changes in the size, shape, and staining characteristics of the cells, as well as the arrangement of cellular nuclei and cytoplasm.

Cytological examinations are crucial diagnostic tools in many medical fields. For example, the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is a well-known cytological test used for screening cervical cancer. Other applications include the examination of urine for bladder cancer, sputum for lung cancer, and fluid from body cavities for metastatic disease. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is frequently used to evaluate lumps and swellings in organs like the thyroid, breast, and lymph nodes. While cytological studies can provide strong indications of disease, a definitive diagnosis may sometimes require a histological examination of tissue biopsy.