Cytopathology

Biography

Biography: Suhail Al-Salam

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) is a simple inexpensive and non-traumatic technique used to assess tumors all over the body; usually prior to surgical removal. The brisk advances in imaging techniques and interventional radiology add a lot to the feasibility and accuracy of FNA. FNA samples can be processed either through conventional or liquid based techniques. Our experience through reviewing sections processed by both techniques favors conventional method over liquid based cytology in many aspects. To what does FNA helpin reaching accurate diagnosis? FNA will be of great help in giving guidance for appropriate approach to handle tumors. In the current practice FNA will be of help in selecting cases of surgical removal of tumors and monitoring tumor spread as definite diagnosis can only be achieved by surgical biopsy. Cytological samples are appropriate for many molecular techniques such as Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Fluorescent in situ hybridization, flow cytometry and others. Actually, FNA samples are better in handling and easier in processing for molecular techniques than tissue samples from biopsies. Molecular techniques can add a lot to accuracy of the diagnosis of FNA samples through identification of molecular changes that are specific for particular cancer. Specific molecular alteration are now documented for hemopoietic, lymphoid, breast, lung, colon, thyroid, renal and prostate malignancies which their identification in FNA samples together with morphologic changes in cytological smears will aid in confirming the diagnosis and facilitates abrupt treatment which will affect significantly the disease outcome. In conclusion, Molecular techniques will make FNA cytology more decisive and conclusive as well as will direct molecular treatment more accurately which will be translated into better prognosis.