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Cytopathologists - Fairfax, VA

We found 4 cytopathologists in Fairfax, VA. See refinement options below.

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intraoperative pathology consultation (3) , concentrated smear of non-gynecologic specimen (3) , immunohistochemistry test (3) , special stains (3) , cytology of non-gynecologic brushing (1) , cytology of non-gynecologic fluid (1) , cytology of non-gynecologic washing (1) , direct smear of non-gynecologic specimen (1) , in situ hybridization (1) , protein electrophoresis (1) , serum protein electrophoresis (1) , urine protein electrophoresis (1)

in Nearby Locations

Greenbelt, MD Rockville, MD Vienna, VA Takoma Park, MD

Other Providers in Fairfax, VA

Art Therapists Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists Counselors Endocrinologists General Dentists General Pediatricians Hepatologists Infectious Disease Doctors Interventional Radiologists Ophthalmologists Oral & Maxillofacial Pathologists Pediatric Optometrists Pediatric Rheumatologists Thoracic (Chest) Surgeons Vascular Surgeons

What is Cytopathology?

Cytopathology is a branch of pathology involving the study of human cells to diagnose medical conditions. Cytopathologists (informally known as pathologists) specialize in the analysis of body cells found in tissue samples extracted from biopsies. They collect and examine specimens looking for abnormalities and other potential disorders. If said abnormalities exist, a pathologist may use a set of criteria to diagnose a condition and may prescribe additional tests or screenings.

Cells are procured from the body through multiple different methods. These methods include brushings of a body part or lesion and fine needle aspiration. Fine needle aspiration, also known as FNA, is the practice of obtaining a body specimen using a thin needle syringe to puncture the skin. FNA is frequently used for the collection of cells from internal tumors or organs.

A cytopathologist may study cell samples for the following situations:

  • Tumors of any part of the body
  • Parts of the body affected by disease, such as vitiligo (a skin disorder)
  • Melanoma (skin cancer spots)
  • Pap smear (gynecology exam)

Once specimens are gathered, they are placed onto thin glass slides with a special dye for microscopic examination. Pathologists are not the only specialists capable of collecting specimens. Other physicians or dermatologists may conduct biopsies (tissue sampling) and consult a pathologist or send the sample to a cytopathology lab for evaluation.