May 2017

May 2017—The most recent edition of the Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology classifies glandular cell abnormalities into the following broad categories: atypical (specify favored site of origin), atypical (favor neoplastic), endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and adenocarcinoma.1 Generic terminology of “atypical glandular cells (AGC)” may be used if the origin of the cells cannot be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the Bethesda System encourages pathologists and cytotechnologists to report the favored site of origin (endometrial versus endocervical) whenever possible.

May 2017—Use of cytology specimens for molecular testing can spare patients from repeated or more invasive procedures. A two-part special section in recent issues of Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine highlights a variety of applications of molecular techniques in cytopathology specimens. The articles in this section cover laboratory workflow issues, considerations for the preparation of cell blocks, application of immunoperoxidase staining and FISH to cytology specimens, and specific applications of molecular testing in thyroid and lung specimens.

May 2017—It is well known that examination of urine dates back to antiquity, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that cancer cells were microscopically documented in urine, by Hermann Lebert in 1845 and Vilem D. Lambl in 1856. Over many decades, countless talented and noteworthy authors have contributed valuable observations and conceptual mechanisms to the study of urinary cytology, but a systematic, universally accepted, internationally recognized system with clear goals was missing.