Standardized terminology and nomenclature for respiratory cytology: The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology guidelines

Abstract

The scheme recommends statements on specimen adequacy followed by the major classification category and then a subclassification and/or comments section. Each of the six main diagnostic categories is associated with an estimated risk of malignancy. Subsequent documents will propose ancillary testing recommendations, techniques for cytologic sampling, indications for cytologic study and postcytologic diagnosis management and follow-up recommendations.

The new guidelines of Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology for respiratory specimens: Assessment of risk of malignancy and diagnostic yield in different cytological modalities

“…Nevertheless, until now there was no widely accepted categorization system for respiratory cytology, providing rational patient management in this setting. Therefore, the PSC has proposed new guidelines comprising a standardized classification of respiratory lesions with an associated risk of malignancy . In the current study, 1290 respiratory cytology cases were retrospectively reclassified in accordance with the new PSC guidelines and we analyzed the associated risks of malignancy for each category.…”

“…In 2016, The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) has proposed guidelines for pulmonary cytology based on multidisciplinary formulation concerning better communication between pathologists, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons. The PSC classification system has addressed terminology and other issues including technical sampling, definition of categories, with the implied risk of malignancy for each diagnostic category, reporting format, ancillary testing and post cytologic diagnosis follow‐up . Importantly, PSC recommendations include the various cytology sampling modalities and define a six‐tiered classification scheme, in accordance with the original PSC guidelines of 1999 .…”

Accuracy and Reproducibility of Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Ratio Assessments in Urinary Cytology Specimens

“…24 However, published data on these ancillary methods suggests that they are more sensitive for HGUC than low grade urothelial carcinoma and in some studies are no more accurate than standard urinary cytology. [29][30][31] The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology utilizes a number of well-defined categories with documented risks for malignancy and suggested management protocols. A number of classification schemes have been proposed to rationalize the categorization of urinary cytology specimens.…”

Lung cancer samples preserved in liquid medium: One step beyond cytology

“…Cytological smears and liquid‐based cytology may be a less invasive option to avoid re‐biopsy. This scenario was noted by the WHO in 2004, when the cytology was included for the first time as an acceptable diagnostic sample, and more recently by the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology Guidelines published for Standardized Terminology and Nomenclature for Respiratory Cytology . However, since then, the employment of cytological samples has been mostly limited to ancillary samples for diagnosis.…”

“…This scenario was noted by the WHO in 2004, when the cytology was included for the first time as an acceptable diagnostic sample, and more recently by the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology Guidelines published for Standardized Terminology and Nomenclature for Respiratory Cytology. 11 However, since then, the employment of cytological samples has been mostly limited to ancillary samples for diagnosis. Herein, we will focus in the main clinical and molecular aspects of lung cancer as well as the advantages of liquid-based cytology (LBC) for lung cancer diagnosis.…”