Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2024-12-19DOI: 10.1159/000543225
Camille Brochard, Adam Kowalewski, Elena Vigliar, Rita Luis, Ozlem Aydin, Jerzy Klijanienko, Sule Canberk
{"title":"Insights into Thyroid and Salivary Gland Cytopathology: Highlights from a 45th European Congress of Cytology Slide Seminar.","authors":"Camille Brochard, Adam Kowalewski, Elena Vigliar, Rita Luis, Ozlem Aydin, Jerzy Klijanienko, Sule Canberk","doi":"10.1159/000543225","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543225","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Thyroid and salivary gland cytopathology frequently present diagnostic challenges due to complex presentations, overlapping features between benign and malignant conditions, particularly with gray-zone entities and rare pathologies. To address these issues, the 45th European Congress of Cytology (ECC) held a slide seminar focused on challenging cases. This article reviews key findings from the 6 cases discussed, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach. The objective of this article was to illustrate the diagnostic challenges of rare thyroid and salivary gland lesions through case presentations, showing the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to accurately reach a final diagnosis and steer the patient's management.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>The seminar presented cases involving fine-needle aspiration cytology followed by histopathological correlation, molecular and cytogenetic analyses or immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers to elucidate cytomorphological features, differential diagnoses, and final diagnoses of rare cases in thyroid and salivary gland cytopathology. Challenging thyroid cytology cases included differentiating thyroid sarcoidosis from malignancy, identifying intrathyroidal ectopic thymus versus lymphoid neoplasms, and recognizing poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma initially misinterpreted as a benign follicular neoplasm. Complex salivary gland cases addressed the distinction of basal cell adenocarcinoma from adenoid cystic carcinoma, metastatic SMARCB1-deficient carcinoma diagnosed via IHC and a parotid mass initially identified as a Warthin tumor.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These cases highlight the critical role of integrating cytological, clinical, and histopathological data to navigate the diagnostic complexities of thyroid and salivary gland lesions. A multidisciplinary approach and standardized algorithms are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"171-182"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142862783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-03-11DOI: 10.1159/000543694
{"title":"Message from the International Academy of Cytology.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000543694","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543694","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":"69 1","pages":"105"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143603203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1159/000545256
{"title":"22nd International Congress of Cytology 2025, May 11-18, 2025, Florence, Italy: Abstracts.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000545256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000545256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>n/a.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":"69 Suppl 1","pages":"1-94"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143958853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digital Pathology in Real-Life Conditions for Daily Cytopathological Diagnosis: A Feasibility Study.","authors":"Ranya Soufan, Alicia Larive, Irène Villa, Anne Auperin, Jean-Yves Scoazec, Voichita Suciu","doi":"10.1159/000545391","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000545391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Nowadays, there is an increasing adoption of digital pathology for diagnostic purposes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Herein we study the feasibility of cytopathological diagnosis by whole-slide imaging (WSI) in daily practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred and ten consecutive non-gynecologic cytopathology cases, originally diagnosed under light microscopy (LM) by two pathologists, were scanned at ×40. Then, cases were diagnosed on WSI, by the same pathologist who originally rendered the conventional diagnosis. The pathologists were blinded to the diagnosis made by LM, but they had access to the same clinical information. The washout period was at least 3 months. WSI diagnoses were compared to the original LM diagnoses, and cases were considered concordant if the two types of diagnosis were identical.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>LM and the WSI diagnoses were concordant in 87.3% [95% CI: 79.6; 92.9] of cases. Intra-observer agreement was lowest for thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (only 1 case out of 5). After the exclusion of thyroid cases, the concordance rate between WSI and LM was 90.5% [95% CI: 83.2%; 95.3%].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Primary cytological diagnosis can be done using our digital system.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"223-230"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143750536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1159/000543496
Rosana Lima de Oliveira, Emanuelle Cristina de Andrade Valente, João Guilherme de Souza Gadelha, Steven S Witkin, Juliana Yukari K Viscondi, Rita de Cássia Castro de Jesus, Lúcia Marques de Freitas, Ivanete de Lima Sampaio, Edson de Freitas Gomes, Kátia Luz Torres, Maria Cássia Mendes-Corrêa, Adhemar Longatto-Filho, Toni Ricardo Martins
{"title":"Critical Evaluation of Pap Test Adherence to Routine Screening in Amazonas State, Brazil.","authors":"Rosana Lima de Oliveira, Emanuelle Cristina de Andrade Valente, João Guilherme de Souza Gadelha, Steven S Witkin, Juliana Yukari K Viscondi, Rita de Cássia Castro de Jesus, Lúcia Marques de Freitas, Ivanete de Lima Sampaio, Edson de Freitas Gomes, Kátia Luz Torres, Maria Cássia Mendes-Corrêa, Adhemar Longatto-Filho, Toni Ricardo Martins","doi":"10.1159/000543496","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543496","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study critically evaluates adherence to Pap test screening practices in cytology-based cervical cancer screening in the state of Amazonas over a 10-year period.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted of the results of cytological screening examinations (Pap test) in Amazonas State from 2013 to 2023. For this purpose, Brazilian public databases Cervical Cancer Information System (SISCOLO) and Cancer Information System (SISCAN) (from the Department of Information and IT of the Unified Health System [DATASUS]) were consulted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a decrease in the number of Pap tests performed during the period from 2019 to 2021, likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by a subsequent increase in the post-pandemic period. Notably, in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 annual Pap examinations there was a decrease in the average number of tests when comparing the years 2016-2018 to 2013-2015, and an even greater decrease during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is considerable variation in utilization of the cytological Pap test across different municipalities. This lack of uniformity throughout the state likely compromises the capacity to detect early stage cervical intraepithelial lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"144-153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142942441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-01-27DOI: 10.1159/000543739
Elisabetta Maffei, Chiara Ciaparrone, Angela D'Ardia, Valentina Giudice, Francesco Sabbatino, Antonino Giangrasso, Pio Zeppa, Alessandro Caputo
{"title":"Suitability of Different Cytological Preparations for Molecular Analysis of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers.","authors":"Elisabetta Maffei, Chiara Ciaparrone, Angela D'Ardia, Valentina Giudice, Francesco Sabbatino, Antonino Giangrasso, Pio Zeppa, Alessandro Caputo","doi":"10.1159/000543739","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Around 85% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are diagnosed at an advanced stage (IIIB to IV), where therapeutic options depend on molecular analysis. However, diagnostic material for molecular testing is often represented by cytological samples which are generally scarce and span a wide range of preparation types. Thus, the primary objective is to efficiently manage materials for molecular profiling. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of different cytological samples to assess morphological and molecular characteristics of advanced NSCLC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-seven cytological samples obtained from patients with advanced NSCLC were utilized. The series encompassed different procedure types (fine-needle aspiration cytology, transbronchial needle aspiration, effusions) processed by cell blocks in 54% (n = 36), direct smears in 33% (n = 22), and liquid-based cytology (LBC) in 13% (n = 9). Cytological diagnoses were routinely performed, and molecular analysis was conducted using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Adequate quantity and quality of nucleic acids were obtained from all the samples, allowing molecular profiling. Combined NGS and RT-PCR analysis showed wild-type profiles in 62.7% (n = 42) and mutated profiles in 37.3% (n = 25) of the samples. Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus (KRAS) mutations were identified in 19.5% (n = 13) of samples, EGFR mutations in 10.4% (n = 7) and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutations in 2.9% (n = 2). Identified chromosomal alterations were v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) duplication in 2.9% (n = 2).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The cytological sample types examined in this study proved to be suitable for molecular testing, in addition to conventional morphologic diagnosis, showing versatility and adaptability to different clinical contexts. Molecular testing on cytological samples is accurate and fast, representing a valid tool for molecular profiling of advanced NSCLC.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"191-201"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143051303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of Nucleic Acid Quality in Unstained Cytology Specimens for Cancer Genomic Testing.","authors":"Hiroya Niimi, Takafumi Onishi, Shoma Nomura, Aya Kumazaki, Yuto Masaki, Hirokazu Odashima, Yukihiko Osawa, Manabu Hattori","doi":"10.1159/000545423","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000545423","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The use of cytological specimens in cancer genome medicine has garnered considerable attention, but the long-term quality of nucleic acids from unstained specimens remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of nucleic acids extracted from unstained specimens fixed with 95% ethanol or spray fixation over varying durations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two lung cancer cell lines were prepared using the auto-smear method and fixed with 95% ethanol, and spray-fixed specimens were stored for 30 min, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. DNA was extracted using a DNA extraction kit, and quality was assessed using agarose gel electrophoresis and PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nucleic acids extracted from unstained specimens showed no fragmentation after 6 months of fixation and were amplifiable by PCR, regardless of the fixation method.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Nucleic acids extracted from unstained specimens preserved high quality over 6 months, suggesting that such specimens are suitable for genetic testing. This finding has significant implications for the long-term storage and clinical application of cytological specimens in cancer genome medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"304-311"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-03-11DOI: 10.1159/000543460
{"title":"Message from the International Academy of Cytology.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000543460","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543460","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":"69 1","pages":"104"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143603202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-01-02DOI: 10.1159/000543344
Olia Poursina, Azadeh Khayyat, Sara Maleki, Ali Amin
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence and Whole Slide Imaging Assist in Thyroid Indeterminate Cytology: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Olia Poursina, Azadeh Khayyat, Sara Maleki, Ali Amin","doi":"10.1159/000543344","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Thyroid cytopathology, particularly in cases of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), suffers from suboptimal sensitivity and specificity challenges. Recent advancements in digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) hold promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy. This systematic review included studies that focused on diagnostic accuracy in AUS/FLUS cases using AI, whole slide imaging (WSI), or both.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Of the 176 studies from 2000 to 2023, 13 met the inclusion criteria. The datasets range from 145 to 964 WSIs, with an overall number of 494 AUS cases ranging from eight to 254. Five studies used convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and two used artificial neural networks (ANNs). The preparation methods included Romanowsky-stained smears either alone or combined with Papanicolaou-stained or H&E and liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep). The scanner models that were used for scanning the slides varied, including Leica/Aperio, Alyuda Neurointelligence Cupertino, and PANNORAMIC™ Desk Scanner. Classifiers used include Feedforward Neural Networks (FFNNs), Two-Layer Feedforward Neural Networks (2L-FFNNs), Classifier Machine Learning Algorithm (MLA), Visual Geometry Group 11 (VGG11), Gradient Boosting Trees (GBT), Extra Trees Classifier (ETC), YOLOv4, EfficientNetV2-L, Back-Propagation Multi-Layer Perceptron (BP MLP), and MobileNetV2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The available studies have shown promising results in differentiating between thyroid lesions, including AUS/FLUS. AI can be especially effective in removing sources of errors such as subjective assessment, variation in staining, and algorithms. CNN has been successful in processing WSI data and identifying diagnostic features with minimal human supervision. ANNs excelled in integrating structured clinical data with image-derived features, particularly when paired with WSI, enhancing diagnostic accuracy for indeterminate thyroid lesions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A combined approach using both CNN and ANN can take advantage of their strengths. While AI and WSI integration shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing uncertainty in indeterminate thyroid cytology, challenges such as the lack of standardization need to be addressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"161-170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142918885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta CytologicaPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2024-06-10DOI: 10.1159/000539634
Irena Srebotnik Kirbis
{"title":"State of the Art and Science of Immunocytochemistry.","authors":"Irena Srebotnik Kirbis","doi":"10.1159/000539634","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000539634","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a widely available and extensively used ancillary method in diagnostic cytopathology with great variability in all test phases and a low level of adequate quality management. The non-standardized ICC landscape is now challenged with the introduction of the new European (EU) In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR). According to this regulation, ICC on cytological slides falls under the category of Laboratory-Developed Tests (LDT), which requires rigorous standardization, validation, and thorough quality management.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Complete standardization of pre-analytical and analytical steps in ICC is impossible due to the complexity of the method and the constantly evolving antibodies, detection systems, and platforms. However, similar to the approach in immunohistochemistry, improving and standardizing \"best practices\" in quality management will result in high-quality, correct, accurate, and reliable ICC results. In this review, the current challenges of ICC in diagnostic cytopathology will be discussed, along with practical insights into ICC standardization and validation.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Control slides prepared in the same manner as the patient samples, optimized ICC protocols, and participation in external quality control for ICC are the pillars of good quality management and essential to ensure safe and reliable patient diagnostics.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"51-59"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141299712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}