Diagnostic cytology services receive fine-needle-biopsy (FNAB) samples and fluids from symptomatic patients who are suspected to have cancer or to rule out malignancy. Staff skilled in cytopathology techniques prepare the samples to produce stained slides for microscopic analysis. Specialist Biomedical Scientists pre-screen slides and assess joint fluid samples for crystals, before passing onto the pathologist team for a full report.
Specimens are usually fresh fluids that can be collected relatively rapidly, painlessly and simply; these include urines, bladder washes, CSF, sputum, bronchial washes, joint fluids, serous fluids and fine needle aspirates.
Fresh fluids are received and are spun down to concentrate cells that are then transferred via cyto-centrifugation to glass slides for staining. Liquid based cytology methods are also utilised to produce monolayer cellular preparations on slides. Some samples are divided to produce cell blocks that are processed and embedded to produce formalin fixed paraffin blocks for ancillary testing, including immunocytochemistry by the ICC team.
BMS technical support can be requested to assess adequacy of FNABs in clinic to reduce patients having to return for a repeat test – this is known as Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). The cytology service also provides post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). This is a screening test, performed by BMSs to confirm the absence of sperm following a vasectomy. Samples must be delivered by patients directly to allow screening to be performed within a 2-hour window of production. Further guidance can be found in the request form and submission guidance.
Cytology technical support is provided in clinic, for example EBUS sampling. Any queries can be directed to the team via the service contacts list.