Introduction

Cytopathology is the diagnosis of disease based on cells rather than tissues. Cytological specimens are typically small and usually less invasive to collect than biopsy specimens. It is often possible to fix, stain and examine them rapidly making them useful where a rapid diagnosis is required.

At ST1 level, it is important to become familiar with the more common cytological specimens encountered, and to be able to distinguish between benign and malignant cells.

Cytology

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