This article will go over the difference between cytology and cytopathology. It will also explain how histology is different from cytology, and the difference between cytopathology and pathology.
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Cytology Uses
A cytology smear is a diagnostic test. A common example is aPap smear, which is a cytology test used to screen forabnormal cells on the cervix, even when there is no sign of disease.
This type of test is useful when there may not be any outward symptoms of illness and the cells are relatively easy to sample.
These tests can also be done when there is a known or suspected disorder. An example is doing a fine needle aspiration to collect sample cells from a tumor. When a provider is looking at cells to see if there is a disease, the study is usually called cytopathology rather than cytology.
Cytology Tests for Lung Cancer
Cytopathology Process
The cells are concentrated, plated, and stained on slides so they can be examined under the microscope. FNAC is a common test used to identify the spread of lymphoma with samples taken from lymph nodes or other body tissues. However, theinitial diagnosis of lymphomausually requires a larger sample from a biopsy.
Biopsies for Cytopathology Tests
Cytology vs. Cytopathology
Cytopathology tests are used to examine single cells or small clusters of cells and to assess whether they are normal or show signs of disease. A report from a cytopathology test describes findings that help determine whether or not the examined cells have characteristics of illnesses, like infection, inflammation, or cancer.
Cytopathology is the study of disease at the cellular level. “Cyto” refers to cells and “pathology” to disease. While it shares some terms, cytopathology is different from “cytology,” “histology,” and “pathology.”
Cytology vs. Pathology
Cytology is the study of cells. When cytopathology is used to look at cells for signs of disease, it falls under the umbrella of pathology.
Pathology is a field of medicine that studies diseases. Lab tests, like cytology smears, can be a tool that pathologists use when researching a disease.
Cervical Cytology and Pap Smears
Cytopathology vs. Histopathology
A pathology department in a hospital is set up to do different kinds of cytology tests on cells and tissue samples, whether from FNAC or from a larger sample, such as an excisional biopsy.
A cytopathology test is sometimes called a cytology report or cytopath.
In cytopathology, some aspects of a disease can be inferred based on the characteristics ofindividual cells—including the appearance of the nucleus, the presence of cellular proteins, and the cell’s morphology (shape).
Other terms you might see used in this context are:
What Is Histopathology?
Summary
Cytology is the study of normal cells. When cells are looked at for abnormalities or signs of disease, it’s usually called cytopathology. Pathology is the branch of medicine that looks at why and how diseases happen.
Cytology smears, histology samples, and other cytopathology tests can help pathologists learn about diseases and help providers diagnose them.
Frequently Asked QuestionsGeorge Papanicolaou is known as the father of modern cytology. He was a pathologist who created a way to test for cervical cancer. The Papanicolaou test—better known as a Pap smear—was named after him.Yes. A pathologist has a medical degree (MD). They also have special training in the techniques used in pathology. A pathologist can also a PhD in pathobiology and translational science, which is helpful if they want to work in research or teach.
Frequently Asked Questions
George Papanicolaou is known as the father of modern cytology. He was a pathologist who created a way to test for cervical cancer. The Papanicolaou test—better known as a Pap smear—was named after him.
Yes. A pathologist has a medical degree (MD). They also have special training in the techniques used in pathology. A pathologist can also a PhD in pathobiology and translational science, which is helpful if they want to work in research or teach.
Pathologist Training and Specialties
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen YH, Gong Y.Cytopathology in the diagnosis of lymphoma.Cancer Treat Res. 2014;160:211-40. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38850-7_9Crothers BA, Chandra A.Proceedings of the American Society of Cytopathology companion session at the 2019 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology meeting Part 1: towards an international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology.J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2019;8(6):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jasc.2019.08.006University of Illinois at Chicago Pathology Department.Cytopathology - Anatomic and Cell Pathology.College of American Pathologists.What Is Pathology?.American Cancer Society.Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.Tan SY, Tatsumura Y.George Papanicolaou (1883-1962): Discoverer of the Pap smear.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(10):586-587. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015155Additional ReadingLee HJ, Thompson J, Wang ES, et al. Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Current treatment and future perspectives.Cancer. 2011;117(8) 1583–1594.Somoza AD, Aly FZ. Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology.CytoJournal. 2014;11:5.Yohe S. Molecular Genetic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Ustun C, Godley LA, eds. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2015;4(3):460-478.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen YH, Gong Y.Cytopathology in the diagnosis of lymphoma.Cancer Treat Res. 2014;160:211-40. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38850-7_9Crothers BA, Chandra A.Proceedings of the American Society of Cytopathology companion session at the 2019 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology meeting Part 1: towards an international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology.J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2019;8(6):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jasc.2019.08.006University of Illinois at Chicago Pathology Department.Cytopathology - Anatomic and Cell Pathology.College of American Pathologists.What Is Pathology?.American Cancer Society.Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.Tan SY, Tatsumura Y.George Papanicolaou (1883-1962): Discoverer of the Pap smear.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(10):586-587. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015155Additional ReadingLee HJ, Thompson J, Wang ES, et al. Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Current treatment and future perspectives.Cancer. 2011;117(8) 1583–1594.Somoza AD, Aly FZ. Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology.CytoJournal. 2014;11:5.Yohe S. Molecular Genetic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Ustun C, Godley LA, eds. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2015;4(3):460-478.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chen YH, Gong Y.Cytopathology in the diagnosis of lymphoma.Cancer Treat Res. 2014;160:211-40. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38850-7_9Crothers BA, Chandra A.Proceedings of the American Society of Cytopathology companion session at the 2019 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology meeting Part 1: towards an international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology.J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2019;8(6):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jasc.2019.08.006University of Illinois at Chicago Pathology Department.Cytopathology - Anatomic and Cell Pathology.College of American Pathologists.What Is Pathology?.American Cancer Society.Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.Tan SY, Tatsumura Y.George Papanicolaou (1883-1962): Discoverer of the Pap smear.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(10):586-587. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015155
Chen YH, Gong Y.Cytopathology in the diagnosis of lymphoma.Cancer Treat Res. 2014;160:211-40. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38850-7_9
Crothers BA, Chandra A.Proceedings of the American Society of Cytopathology companion session at the 2019 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology meeting Part 1: towards an international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology.J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2019;8(6):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jasc.2019.08.006
University of Illinois at Chicago Pathology Department.Cytopathology - Anatomic and Cell Pathology.
College of American Pathologists.What Is Pathology?.
American Cancer Society.Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.
Tan SY, Tatsumura Y.George Papanicolaou (1883-1962): Discoverer of the Pap smear.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(10):586-587. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015155
Lee HJ, Thompson J, Wang ES, et al. Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Current treatment and future perspectives.Cancer. 2011;117(8) 1583–1594.Somoza AD, Aly FZ. Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology.CytoJournal. 2014;11:5.Yohe S. Molecular Genetic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Ustun C, Godley LA, eds. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2015;4(3):460-478.
Lee HJ, Thompson J, Wang ES, et al. Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Current treatment and future perspectives.Cancer. 2011;117(8) 1583–1594.
Somoza AD, Aly FZ. Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology.CytoJournal. 2014;11:5.
Yohe S. Molecular Genetic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Ustun C, Godley LA, eds. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2015;4(3):460-478.
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