citopathológia

Cytopathology is a branch of pathology that studies diseases at the cellular level. It involves the examination of individual cells or small clusters of cells that have been shed or collected from various body sites. This diagnostic technique is crucial for identifying abnormalities, including cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions, as well as infections and inflammatory processes.

The primary goal of cytopathology is to detect cellular changes that indicate disease. Samples are typically obtained through minimally invasive procedures such as fine-needle aspiration, scraping (e.g., Pap smears), or fluid collection. These samples are then processed and stained to enhance visibility of cellular structures. A cytopathologist or cytotechnologist examines the stained cells under a microscope to identify any deviations from normal morphology, such as changes in cell size, shape, nucleus, and cytoplasm.

Key applications of cytopathology include screening for cervical cancer (Pap test), diagnosing thyroid nodules, analyzing fluid collections (e.g., pleural, peritoneal, or cerebrospinal fluid), and evaluating aspirates from lymph nodes, breasts, and other organs. Its advantages lie in its relatively low cost, speed of obtaining results, and ability to provide a diagnosis with minimal patient discomfort. While cytopathology can detect many abnormalities, it may sometimes require correlation with other diagnostic methods, such as histology (biopsy), for a definitive diagnosis.