Histology/cytopathology

Question 1

What is used for histopathology (tissues)

Answer 1

Biopsies
Resection specimens
Frozen sections
Post-mortems

Question 2

What is used for cytopathology (Cells)

Answer 2

Smears

Fine needle aspirates

Question 3

What are the stains used for histopathology

Answer 3

Haematoxylin and eosin (H+E). Haematoxylin stains nuclei blue and eosin the cytoplasm pink.
Silver nitrate – fungi
Gram – bacteria 
Ziehl-Neelson – Tuberculosis bacilli 
Papanicolaou – cervical smears

Question 4

What is done with the specimens for cytopathology

Answer 4

1. Specimen must be properly labelled
2. Fix in formalin – crosslinks proteins + slows decomposition
3. Embed in paraffin wax
   Cut sections (very thin) and stain

Question 5

How long does a histopathology result take to reach the clinician

Answer 5

Frozen section: 30 minutes
For biopsies: 2-3 days
For resection specimens: 5-7 days

Question 6

What do you look for in biopsies

Answer 6

Is it normal
Is it inflamed (and what is the cause)
Is it cancer (and what type)

Question 7

What do you look for in resection specimens

Answer 7

How far has the cancer spread

Is all of it out

Question 8

How are specific antigens identified

Answer 8

Using antibodies
Immunohistochemistry
Carry out molecular tests