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Anal-rectal cytology: a review.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bean, SM; Chhieng, DC
Published in: Diagn Cytopathol
July 2010

The incidence of invasive anal squamous cell carcinoma, a human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancer, is on the rise, especially in HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Like cervical cancer, anal cancer is associated with precursor lesions detectable on exfoliative cytology as squamous intraepithelial lesions and on biopsy as intraepithelial neoplasia. Anal-rectal cytology screening programs, similar to cervical cytology screening programs, have been developed in an effort to detect and to eradicate precursor lesions prior to progression to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Either conventional or liquid-based anal-rectal cytology specimens are acceptable, but liquid-based specimens are preferred. Specimens may be collected by health care professionals or by patients. A minimum of 2,000-3,000 nucleate squamous cells should comprise adequate specimens. Diagnostic terminology as defined by the Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology (TBS 2001) should be used. Sensitivity and specificity of a single anal-rectal cytology specimen is comparable with that of a single cervical cytology test, but cytological interpretations do not always correlate with lesion severity. Patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or worse should be referred for anoscopy.

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Published In

Diagn Cytopathol

DOI

EISSN

1097-0339

Publication Date

July 2010

Volume

38

Issue

7

Start / End Page

538 / 546

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Specimen Handling
  • Rectum
  • Pathology
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Humans
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Anus Neoplasms
  • Anal Canal
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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MLA
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Bean, S. M., & Chhieng, D. C. (2010). Anal-rectal cytology: a review. Diagn Cytopathol, 38(7), 538–546. https://doi.org/10.1002/dc.21242
Bean, Sarah M., and David C. Chhieng. “Anal-rectal cytology: a review.Diagn Cytopathol 38, no. 7 (July 2010): 538–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/dc.21242.
Bean SM, Chhieng DC. Anal-rectal cytology: a review. Diagn Cytopathol. 2010 Jul;38(7):538–46.
Bean, Sarah M., and David C. Chhieng. “Anal-rectal cytology: a review.Diagn Cytopathol, vol. 38, no. 7, July 2010, pp. 538–46. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/dc.21242.
Bean SM, Chhieng DC. Anal-rectal cytology: a review. Diagn Cytopathol. 2010 Jul;38(7):538–546.
Journal cover image

Published In

Diagn Cytopathol

DOI

EISSN

1097-0339

Publication Date

July 2010

Volume

38

Issue

7

Start / End Page

538 / 546

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Specimen Handling
  • Rectum
  • Pathology
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Humans
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Anus Neoplasms
  • Anal Canal
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences