Cytology Cake

Cytotechnology graduation cake. Cells under a microscope
by Wendy Belgrave

Source: Pinterest,
Wendy Belgrave

Unmet clinical needs in cervical cancer screening

The incidence of cervical cancer has dropped dramatically due to the success of the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, (the cytologic examination of cervical cells) in the detection of high-grade premalignant lesions that can be treated before they progress to invasive cervical carcinoma. Although the Pap test is the most effective tool ever deployed for cancer screening, it has been limited by problems of low sensitivity for high-grade premalignant lesions of the cervical mucosa.

Epidemiologic and molecular studies over the past three decades have firmly established that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the etiologic agent for virtually all cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and also for the vast majority of cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma. Although the development of HPV-based test strategies can be used to enhance sensitivity for the detection of clinically significant lesions, HPV testing has been less effective as a primary screening assay in patient populations that have a high prevalence of HPV infection, including adult women under age 30 in both industrialized nations and many third-world countries. In addition, the incidence of death due to cervical cancer has not changed in many developing countries due to difficulties in introducing cost-effective and highly sensitive and specific cervical cancer screening programs that do not require a large clinical laboratory infrastructure and trained cytotechnologists to analyze results. Hence, there is a significant need for a new generation of molecular tests that can augment the existing Pap test, and potentially replace the HPV or Pap tests as the frontline screen in developing countries.

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Unmet clinical needs in cervical cancer screening 

Source: MLO
Image credits: icytology

Free Online Atlas of Thyroid Cytopathology

The thyroid web atlas contains close to 300 images of key thyroid lesions in an easy-to-search format. All images have been independently reviewed and approved by the committee members. Although the majority of the images presented here are from direct smears of an FNA sample, there are numerous examples of liquid-based preparations as well, illustrating the key morphologic differences. Emphasis has been placed on presenting "classic' examples of common thyroid lesions, but images from uncommon and rare diseases are included as well to make this as comprehensive as possible. The images are formatted to conform to the print atlas "The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology"

Open atlas here:
Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology Online Atlas Portal

Synovial Fluid Analyses, Synovial Biopsy and Synovial Pathology

Analysis of synovial fluid and synovial tissue obtained from diseased joints provides important diagnostic information in specific clinical settings, and is valuable in addressing a spectrum of research questions aimed at enhancing our understanding of the pathogenesis and mechanisms of rheumatic diseases. Many peripheral joints are readily accessible to sampling of both synovial fluid effusions and synovial tissue, although the knee is the most frequently sampled joint. The techniques used to obtain and analyze synovial fluid and tissue samples are discussed in this article.

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Synovial Fluid Analyses, Synovial Biopsy, and Synovial Pathology - Kelley-Synovial Fluid Analyses, Synovial Biopsy, and Synovial Pathology.pdf

 Source: Standford edu

Will Liquid Biopsies Replace Invasive Tissue Biopsies

Using cell-free DNA found in the blood stream, a team led by Vanderbilt researchers has developed a highly accurate method for detecting prostate cancer. Through massive parallel sequencing of this DNA, the method may transform cancer diagnostics and enable real-time monitoring of patient responses to therapy. Instead of using tissue biopsies, the new method only requires a blood sample.

Cells that compose a tumor generally exhibit genetic instability when compared to their healthy counterparts. One form of this instability is called copy number variation, which is an alteration in the cancer cell DNA that occurs when an abnormal number of genes are present. Copy number variation is closely associated with cancer and is part of the cell-free DNA released into the blood when cancer cells rupture, which makes it a strong candidate for use as a cancer biomarker.

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Will “Liquid Biopsies” Replace Invasive Tissue Biopsies

Source: Med Device Online
Image: Jim Wilson/The New York Times