Cytology
Cytology is the study of cell biology. In a medical context, cytology often refers to the study of
disease on a cellular level, and is also known as cytopathology. In a cytology test, cells are extracted from the body for examination under microscope. Cells can be taken through abrasion, which merely involves a superficial scraping of cells off the area under investigation, or through "fine needle aspiration," which involves drawing the cells up through the needle of a syringe. A cytology exam is an alternative to a
biopsy, which is generally more invasive and carries more medical risk. However, a biopsy result is often considered more accurate and conclusive.
After the cells are obtained in a cytology test, they are preserved and examined by a cytotechnologist, who identifies and marks abnormal cells for the pathologist. The pathologist makes a diagnosis based on his examination of the marked cells. Test results from a cytology exam are usually available in one to two days, but may take long due to a number of considerations, such as a need for a second expert opinion.