citologici

Citology, or citologia in Italian, is the branch of biology and medicine that studies cells, including their structure, function, and pathology. The term citologico refers to anything pertaining to cytology, such as diagnostic methods, laboratory techniques, and research questions. Cytology encompasses both basic research on cell biology and clinical applications that rely on the analysis of individual cells or small cell clusters, as distinct from histology, which examines tissues.

Cytological practice relies on the collection, processing, and examination of cellular material from a wide range of sources. Exfoliative cytology uses cells shed or scraped from surfaces, as in the Pap test for cervical cancer screening, sputum or urine cytology. Aspiration cytology, notably fine-needle aspiration (FNA), retrieves cells from lesions or tumors. Specimens are fixed, stained by methods such as Papanicolaou, Giemsa, or Romanowsky, and interpreted by cytotechnologists and cytopathologists. Modern cytology may incorporate immunocytochemistry, molecular assays, and digital imaging.

Applications include cancer screening and diagnosis, infection detection, assessment of inflammatory or metabolic disorders, and evaluation of effusions or body fluids. The field supports minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment planning, often guiding biopsy decisions and monitoring therapy.

Historically, cytology emerged from cell theory in the 19th century and gained prominence with Georgios Papanikolaou's Pap test in the mid-20th century, revolutionizing cervical cancer screening. Limitations include sample adequacy, sampling error, and potential false positives or negatives, underscoring the need for skilled interpretation and quality assurance.