How important is Cytomorphology in the Current Era of Special Techniques?

Blog Post by Prabodh, K. Gupta, MD, F.I.A.C. and Zubair W. Baloch, MD, PhD.

According to the great pathologist of our century Dr. Rosai “It is my contention that as of today there is no technique in all medicine that provides so much information so quickly and for such little cost as the H&E technique”. We whole heartedly agree with this statement of Dr. Rosai and believe that the same can be applied to the morphology seen in cytologic preparations. The art and practice of basic cytopathology has stood the test of time and is becoming ever so important in the era of cost containment. However, at the same time one is faced with the challenge of making sure that this art of interpreting a pathologic process is based on solid foundations. What we mean by that; we as students of cytology we fully understand and grasp the basic morphologic changes that define and describe normal, reactive, neoplastic and malignant cellular changes. 

This book (Cytohistology  Essentials and Basic Concepts, Cambridge Press, 2011) is a new transformed version of the monograph initially compiled by late John Frost in 1959. In its present form it describes in detail the valuable essentials and basic morphologic concepts in the diagnosis of cytologic and small biopsy specimens. This is achieved by careful construction of seven sections which guides the reader on a journey which starts with historical perspective to processing of cytologic samples, cytology of normal, reactive and malignant cells and ends with an overview of use of special techniques. We hope that this monograph will serve as a primer for those who believe that basic cytomorphologic concepts are critical to the interpretation of cytologic specimens.

Rosai J. The continuing role of morphology in the molecular age. Mod Pathol 2001;14:258-260.

Cytohistology  Essentials and Basic Concepts, is edited by Prabodh, K. Gupta, MD, F.I.A.C. and Zubair W. Baloch, MD, PhD., and published by Cambridge University Press