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sputum cytology

Reference interval: - normal epithelial cells Clinical significance: - tumors within the pulmonary system frequently slough cells into respiratory secretions - when sputum is collected, malignant cells may be seen with a) squamous cell carcinoma (60%) b) small cell carcinoma (21%) c) adenocarcinoma (16%) d) large cell carcinoma (13%) - bronchoscopy & percutaneous lung biopsy have largely replaced sputum cytology [2]* - used mostly for patients with productive cough, abnormal chest X-ray & negative bronchoscopy - less sensitive than chest X-ray for detection of lung cancer * MKSAP19 refers to blood-tinged sputum as hemoptysis worked-up with contrast-enhanced chest CT [3]

Related

sputum (phlegm)

General

cytology

References

  1. Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 769
  2. Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, 9th edition, Pagana DS and Pagana TJ editors, Mosby, Elsevier, St. Louis, 2009, pg 876
  3. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 19 Board Basics. An Enhancement to MKSAP19. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2022