Cytopathology

Cytopathology is the examination of individual cells and small clusters of cells, and may be used for the diagnosis and screening of diseases, including cancer. At CellNetix the Cytology department also performs molecular diagnostic testing on liquid pap smear samples for a variety of infectious agents.

• Pap Smears – Gynecological cancer screening using both of the FDA approved liquid collection systems and automated screening systems.  All samples are reviewed by registered Cytotechnologists and appropriate samples by pathologists.
• Non-Gynecological Cytology – Screening of a wide variety of fluids and aspirates.
• HPV DNA Testing –Human papillomavirus (HPV) is strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer and precancerous growths.
• GC/Chlamydia Testing – These common sexually transmitted infectious agents can be reliably screened on the liquid pap smear sample.

Fine Needle Aspiration

Fine Needle Aspiration is a simple and reliable test which may be used in evaluation of superficial palpable masses in any anatomic site.

		Patient Service Centers for FNA and Bone Marrow Collections at CellNetix First Hill Ph: 206- 215-5960 1124 Columbia Street, Suite 200 Seattle, WA  98104 CellNetix Everett (Two locations) Ph: 1-866-236-8296 1321 Colby Avenue Everett, WA  98201 900 Pacific Avenue, #7 Everett, WA 98206 CellNetix Olympia Ph: 360-491-8420 413 Lilly Road NE Olympia, WA 98506

Histopathology

Histopathology (from the Greek histos (tissue) and pathos (suffering)) refers to the examination of tissue in order to identify disease.  A specimen (tissue biopsy or resection) is taken from a patient.  The specimen is then processed, sectioned, placed on a glass slide and stained, after which pathologists examine the sample microscopically.  Experience, subspecialty training and regular consultation between colleagues support CellNetix pathologists in providing the highest levels of professional judgment.  Common tissue sample types include:

• Tissue Biopsies and surgical resections from hospital surgical departments, day surgery or physician offices.
• Fine Needle Aspirations and Cores provide minimally invasive methods to collect small samples from a wide variety of organs or palpable masses.  Samples can be collected at radiology centers or physician offices and sent to CellNetix, or CellNetix pathologists can collect specimens at one of our Patient Service Centers.
• Bone Marrow Biopsies and Aspirations provide important diagnostic samples for a variety of hematologic and immunological disorders.  Samples may be collected and forwarded by physician offices or by CellNetix pathologists at our Patient Service Centers.

Following initial examination, pathologists may use additional diagnostic tools to further validate or clarify the patient diagnosis.  These include:

Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) use antibodies counter-stained with one or more chromogens to identify specific proteins, lipids, cytokeratins or other cellular components associated with diseases or the patient's prognosis.  In cases such as metastases or carcinoma of unknown primary origin, where it may be difficult to determine the type of cell from which the tumor originated, immunohistochemistry can identify cells by the characteristic markers on the cell surface. IHC can also help distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.  Occasionally performed using batteries or panels of antibodies this technology is extremely useful for experienced pathologists.

Immunofluorescence

Immunofluorescence methods use fluorescent dye labeled antibodies or antigens to visualize sub-cellular distribution of molecules.  Immunofluorescent labeled tissue sections are studied using a fluorescence microscope.  This allows the diagnosis of immune type diseases not recognizeable by normal light miscroscopic techniques.

Molecular Diagnostics

CellNetix is committed to bringing on line the latest in molecular diagnostic testing.  Molecular diagnostics is a rapidly growing area of anatomic pathology testing which includes  fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene microarray analysis among other technologies.