The Triple Approach in Cytopathology: Its Practical Application

Abstract

The triple approach to cytologic diagnosis was introduced in Chap. 1. The present chapter provides the ‘how-to’s’. Guidelines on the elements within each of the domains of cytomorphologic features, clinical information and ancillary tests are provided, accompanied by relevant illustrations of some features that are often underemphasised.

An overview of the scope of ancillary tests is laid out, as well as an outline of the different specimen collection methods in cytologic samples.

This chapter also provides a step-by-step description of the diagnostic process in chronological order, so that one may see the interaction of the elements of the triple approach. A walk-through of an actual case is included, starting from a brief clinical history to the final diagnostic line in the cytology report.