What are the Common Applications of Cytopathology?
Cytopathology has several critical applications, particularly in the diagnosis and management of various diseases:
- Cancer Diagnosis and Screening: One of the most common uses of cytopathology is in cancer detection, including screening tests like the Pap smear for cervical cancer. It also helps diagnose cancers of the lung, breast, thyroid, and other organs. - Infectious Diseases: Cytopathology can identify bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections by examining cell samples from affected tissues or fluids. - Inflammatory Conditions: It helps diagnose inflammatory diseases and conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, by detecting characteristic cellular changes. - Monitoring Treatment: Cytopathology is useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments, particularly in oncology, by analyzing changes in cell morphology over time.
