BACKGROUNDThe Bethesda System for reporting the results of cervical cytology was developed as a uniform system of terminology that would provide clear guidance for clinical management.

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An update to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guideline regarding screening for the early detection of cervical precancerous lesions and cancer is presented. The guidelines are based on a systematic evidence review, contributions from 6 working groups, and a recent symposium cosponsored by the ACS, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which was attended by 25 organizations. The new screening recommendations address age‐appropriate screening strategies, including the use of cytology and high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, follow‐up (eg, the management of screen positives and screening intervals for screen negatives) of women after screening, the age at which to exit screening, future considerations regarding HPV testing alone as a primary screening approach, and screening strategies for women vaccinated against HPV16 and HPV18 infections. CA Cancer J Clin 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.

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Context.-Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is important for cytology but poses special challenges because preanalytic conditions may differ from the conditions of IHC-positive controls.Objectives.-To broadly survey cytology laboratories to quantify preanalytic platforms for cytology IHC and identify problems with particular platforms or antigens. To discover how validation guidelines for HER2 testing have affected cytology.Design. Conclusions.-The platforms for cytology IHC and positive controls differ for most laboratories, yet conditions are uncommonly adjusted for cytology specimens. Except for the unsuitability of air-dried smears for HER2 testing, the survey did not reveal evidence of systematic problems with any antibody or platform. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014;138:1167-1172 doi: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0259-CP) T he goal of cytology is to use the smallest possible biopsy for diagnosis, thereby reducing risk and discomfort for patients, facilitating population-based cancer detection programs, allowing faster diagnosis than can be achieved with larger biopsies, and saving money for the health care system. Even with large-sized surgical biopsies, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is often needed for the diagnosis and determination of prognostic markers. The cytology literature documents the suitability of cytology specimens for IHC 1 and the importance of IHC in allowing patients to realize the benefits of cytology.