The Role of Exfoliative Cytology in Diagnosing Oral and Skin Lesions

Exfoliative Cytology

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Exfoliative Cytology

Exfoliative cytology is the microscopic study of cells obtained from the surface of an organ or lesion after suitable staining.

exfoliative cytology

“Understanding the role of exfoliative cytology in diagnostics”

exfoliative cytology

Procedure Of Exfoliative Cytology

• The surface of the lesion is cleaned by removing all debris and mucins.
• Gentle scrapping is done on the surface of the lesion with a metal cement spatula or a moistened tongue blade for several times.
• Thus material present on the surface of the lesion adheres or collects at the border of the instrument.
• The collected material is then evenly spread over a microscopic slide and is immediately filled with 95% of alcohol.
• The slide is then air dried and is stained by a special stain called as PAP stain (Papanicolaou stain).

“Importance of exfoliative cytology in early lesion detection”

Findings in Exfoliative Cytology

Class I (Normal): It indicates that only normal cells are present in the smear.

Class II (Atypical): It indicates the presence of minor cellular atypia.

Class III (Intermediate): This is an in-between cytology that separates cancer from non­cancer diagnosis; the cells that display wider atypia are suggestive of cancer.

oral cytology

“Case studies on exfoliative cytology outcomes”

Biopsy is recommended for further diagnosis.

Class IV (Suggestive cancer): It indicates that in the lesion there is presence of few cells with malignant characteristic. Biopsy is mandatory.

Class V (Positive for cancer): The cells exhibit defiite features of malignancy. Biopsy is mandatory.

exfoliative cytology procedure

“Impact of exfoliative cytology on treatment planning”

Indication Of Exfoliative Cytology

The exfoliative cytology is establishing in the diagnosis of the following oral lesions:

• Herpes simplex and herpes zoster
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Pemphigoid
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Aphthous ulcer.