How is Cytopathology Integrated into Clinical Practice?
In clinical practice, cytopathology is often the first step in diagnostic workflows. For instance, in cases of suspected malignancy, a cytopathologist may perform an FNA to quickly assess whether cancer cells are present. If cancer is detected, a histopathological examination of a tissue biopsy may follow to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cancer type and grade. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation, combining the strengths of both cytopathology and histology.
