Can cytology detect cancer? What is cytology and its importance?
What is cytology? Cytology is that branch of medicine which deals with the formation, structure, and function of cells. When it is mentioned in the area of diagnosis for cancer, it is sometimes called exfoliative cytology and refers to the technique of examining cells which have been normally shed or which are scraped from living tissue. The cells, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, are examined under the microscope, usually by a pathologist or a technician trained to know whether the cells look normal or not. original picture address What kinds of tests are cytological exams? There are several: • Pap test to detect cervical cancer • Vaginal pool aspiration or endometrial aspiration to detect uterine cancer • Sputum tests to detect lung cancer • Urine sediment tests to detect cancer ofthe urinary tract, especially bladder • Scrapings from the mouth to detect oral cancer • Cell samples from the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, or duodenum • Fluid tests...