Cytopathology

Cytopathology, a branch of diagnostic pathology provides an alternative to histopathological examination and has several advantages. Specimen collection is relatively simple and quick, is much less invasive (does not require surgery) and processing is much faster that of the paraffin wax embedding method employed in routine histopathology. This chapter introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the Cytopathology laboratory from specimen collection and preparation to diagnosis. The fundamentals of cytomorphology and cytodiagnosis are described in brief. I cover the history of the cervical screening programme, from its introduction, through the limitations of specimen collection, the Papnicolaou (Pap) smear, via the pivotal role played by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the progression to cervical cancer, to the introduction of Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) and the new cervical vaccine reaching market.