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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Cytologic evaluation</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Cytologic evaluation is the analysis of cells from the body under a microscope. This is done to determine what the cells look like, and how they form and function.</p><p>The test is usually used to look for cancers and precancerous changes. It may also be used to look for viral infections in cells. The test differs from a <a test="test" href="./003416.htm">biopsy</a> because only cells are examined, not pieces of tissue.</p><p>The <a test="test" href="./003911.htm">Pap smear</a> is a common cytologic evaluation that looks at cells from the cervix. Some other examples include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003866.htm">Cytology exam of fluid from the membrane around the lungs (pleural fluid)</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003905.htm">Cytology exam of urine</a></li><li>Cytology exam of saliva mixed with mucus and other matter that is coughed up (sputum) </li></ul></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>Cell evaluation; Cytology</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8898t.jpg" alt="Pleural biopsy" title="Pleural biopsy" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8898.htm">Pleural biopsy</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/17116t.jpg" alt="Pap smear" title="Pap smear" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/17116.htm">Pap smear</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. Neoplasia. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. <em>Robbins &amp; Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease</em>. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.</p><p>Weidmann JE, Keebler CM, Facik MS. Cytopreparatory techniques. In: Bibbo M, Wilbur DC, eds. <em>Comprehensive Cytopathology</em>. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 33.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 9/18/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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