Expectations and Projections for the Future of Nongynecolgical Cytology 10 Years Ago: Did They Materialize and How Did We Do?

Abstract

thors [1] . Having a visionary idea, Dr. Marluce Bibbo, Editor-in-Chief of the journal at that time, invited 17 cytopathologists and cytotechnologists, from 12 countries and representing 4 continents, to discuss how new technology is being applied and what advances and challenges we are predicting for the future. Ten years on, and to celebrate 60 Years of Acta Cytologica , Dr. Kari Syrjänen, the current Editor-in-Chief, presented us with the challenge of describing the impact of this article in the development of our specialty as well as in the increase of knowledge at a conceptual level [2] .There were several ways to present this discussion, but we decided to do it according to the different questions originally formulated in the article, and to then verify if the expectations and projections made at that time are still of interest, have changed, or are no longer in place. We also comment on some of the new developments in the technology and the biomarkers that were not predicted at that time but are now implemented in most pathology laboratories.1. The Role of Morphology. For several decades, cytopathologists have practiced diagnostic cytopathology of nongynecologic specimens based on morphologic features. Do you think morphologic features will still play an important role 10 years from now? The moderator and editor was Marluce Bibbo, previous Editor-in-Chief of Acta Cytologica , and 17 participants from countries throughout the world were asked to answer how new technologies were being applied in their respective laboratories and whether future advances and challenges can be predicted. Ten years later, two previous participants in this Golden Anniversary Cytology Symposium were asked by Kari Syrjänen, current Editor-in-Chief of Acta Cytologica , to make a reappraisal of the 2007 predictions.

New Cell Block Method to Enhance the Cellular Yield in Mucous and/or Bloody Samples

“…All types of cytological material namely fine needle aspirates, liquid-based preparations, brushings, body fluids, and scraped cells are suitable for processing into CB. The CB brings an additional structural morphology as tissue architecture to the diagnostics of cytological specimens and can be used for ancillary techniques including immunocytochemistry and molecular diagnostics [4][5][6][7][8]. CBs should always be understood as a complimentary method to cytological slides, not a substitute.…”

Management of cytological material for ancillary studies: Still an issue one decade later?

“…At that time, I had the privilege to write an editorial stressing the importance of preserving good quality material to maintain cellular morphology and DNA/RNA integrity . The last decade has been testimony to great progress in the application of molecular techniques on cytological material, especially in the field of lung cancer . However, there has also been an expansion in the use of these techniques in many other organs and in different types of cytological specimens.…”

The Six Decades of <b><i>Acta Cytologica</i></b>

“…The article reports the results of a survey, moderated by Dr. Bibbo, where 17 participants from countries throughout the world were asked to give their opinion on how new technologies were being applied in their respective laboratories, and whether future advances and challenges could be predicted. Today, 10 years later, two participants from this Golden Anniversary Cytology Symposium, Dr. Fernando Schmitt and Dr. Philippe Vielh, agreed to write a commentary [22], making an outstanding reappraisal of all those predictions made back in 2007. Details can be found in their comprehensive commentary, in which they state that after 10 years, they can conclude exactly as Dr. Bibbo concluded that discussion: “Since molecular biology results are meaningful only when interpreted with proper morphologic correlation, it is important to standardize molecular techniques ...” [22].…”