IJCRR

IJCRR - 12(11), June, 2020

Pages: 21-27

Date of Publication: 03-Jun-2020

Chronicles of Cytopathology-A Review

Author: Preethi Sharma, Minal Chaudhary, Rajul Ranka, Madhuri Gawande, Prajakta Zade, Alka Hande

Category: Healthcare

Abstract:The review gives brief information on the olden days of cytology beginning from its origin to recent modern advancements. It also gives an outline regarding the basics of cytology. The field of cytology has achieved a marvelous drive all across the world owing to its rapidity, accurateness, and cost-efficacy. The literature was searched using MEDLINE/PubMed to identify relevant articles published in English from the date of inception to date. A brief history of cytology, newer cytological methods, modifications in the sampling tools and the sensitivity and specificity of collecting devices are presented in the article. The review will benefit all the dental practitioners facing challenges during performing exfoliative cytology.

Keywords: Cytology, Collecting devices, Cytomorphometry, Cancer

Full Text:

INTRODUCTION

The field of cytology has attained a great amount of drive throughout the nation with respect to its rapidity, reliability, and inexpensiveness. The branch of cytology was identified and practiced in the 18th and 19^th centuries.¹ The advancement of this branch was not standardized untill the 20th century. In 1989, the first American Board of examination in the field of cytopathology has commenced.² The field of cytopathology is well established with two main branches exfoliative cytology and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.² The study of exfoliated cells from pre-malignant and malignant lesions of cervical mucosa by Papanicolaou and Traut has strongly swayed the way for Oral cytology.¹ The worth of using a microscope in the 19^th century was recognized by Pathologists Italian Morgagni, the British Baillie, and the French Bichat.¹ In the sputum of oropharyngeal carcinoma, the architecture of abnormal cells was first identified in the 19^th century. Exfoliative cytology in the oral cavity was first identified by Montgomery and Von Ham.³ The purpose of performing Cytology is to reach at an accurate diagnosis, screening and follow up. The Advantages are a simple, safe and quick method of collection. It is cost-effective and gives accurate results.⁴ Cytopathological Features of malignancy include cellular pleomorphism, nuclear pleomorphism, altered Nuclear/Cellular ratio, hyperchromatism, enlarged nucleoli, increased and abnormal mitotic activity.⁴ There were many contributions and publications in the field of Cytology (Table 1).

With many breaks and deviations after an arduous 150 years, cytology has become a subspecialty of pathology in the last 25 years. In an attempt to improve the quality of smears and staining of cells, various new tools for sampling with modifications were introduced. The sensitivity and specificity of the tools were identified. (Table 2 & Table 3).