Cytopathology

Cytology (also known as cytopathology) involves examining cells from bodily tissues or fluids to determine a diagnosis. A certain kind of physician, called a pathologist, will look at the cells in the tissue sample under a microscope and look for characteristics or abnormalities in the cells.

There are two main kinds, or branches, of cytology: exfoliative cytology and intervention cytology.

Healthcare providers can use cytology tests for almost all areas of your body. Some common types of cytology tests include:

• Gynecologic cytology.
• Urinary cytology.
• Breast cytology.
• Thyroid cytology.
• Lymph node cytology.
• Respiratory cytology.
• Eye cytology.
• Ear cytology.

Intervention cytology is a branch of cytology in which your healthcare provider has to “intervene” with your body to get a sample of cells to test, meaning they have to pierce your skin in some way to get a sample of cells.

The most common type of intervention cytology is fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A healthcare provider will inject a thin needle into the area that they need to sample and draw out fluid. A pathologist then examines the cells in the fluid under a microscope.