Molecular diagnostics, personalized medicine, and the evolving role of the cytotechnologist: an institutional experience.

The role of cytotechnologists has focused primarily on the microscopic examination of cytologic specimens for diagnosing disease. Cytotechnologists currently evaluate a wide assortment of both gynecological and nongynecological cytology specimens. However, the Pap test remains the primary test for most cytology laboratories.

Identification of malignant cytologic criteria in pancreatobiliary brushings with corresponding positive fluorescence in situ hybridization results.

Cytologic evaluation of pancreatobiliary brushings is specific but poorly sensitive for malignancy. Detection of polysomic cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is significantly more sensitive than routine cytology with similar specificity. The purpose of this study was to identify cytologic criteria most associated with malignancy in specimens unaffected by sample failure.

False positive endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration cytology: incidence and risk factors.

Objective: It is broadly accepted that the false positive (FP) rate for endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS FNA) is 0-1%. It was hypothesised that the FP and false suspicious (FS) rates for EUS FNA are greater than reported. A study was undertaken to establish the rate and root cause of discordant interpretation.

Prospective cytological assessment of gastrointestinal luminal fluid acquired during EUS: a potential source of false-positive FNA and needle tract seeding.

Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine needle aspiration (FNA) can result in false-positive cytology and can also cause needle tract seeding. Our goal was to evaluate a potential cause, namely, the presence of malignant cells within gastrointestinal (GI) luminal fluid, either as a result of tumor sloughing from luminal cancers or secondary to FNA of extraluminal sites.

Methods: During EUS, luminal fluid that is usually aspirated through the echoendoscope suction channel and discarded was instead submitted for cytological analysis among patients with cancer and benign disease.

Novel breast tissue feature strongly associated with risk of breast cancer.

Purpose: Accurate, individualized risk prediction for breast cancer is lacking. Tissue-based features may help to stratify women into different risk levels. Breast lobules are the anatomic sites of origin of breast cancer.

Islet cell tumor of the pancreas: increasing diagnosis after instituting ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration.

Objective: To review the clinical and cytomorphologic features of pancreatic islet cell tumors (ICT).

Study Design: Computer search identified patients with pancreatic ICT diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) between January 1995 and December 2003. Clinical, radiographic, and cytomorphologic findings were reviewed.

Cervicovaginal (Papanicolaou) smear findings in patients with malignant mixed Müllerian tumors.

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor is a rare neoplasm that occurs most frequently in elderly patients. It is characterized by a mixture of malignant epithelial and sarcomatous components. Little has been published about Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Müllerian tumors.