Is Liquid-Based Cytology the Magic Bullet for Performing Molecular Techniques?

Objective: The role of pathology has evolved from the first microscopic definitions of diseases by Virchow to the new concept of molecular cytopathology. The management of diseases is now a multidisciplinary approach with the translation of morphological, imagery and molecular findings to therapeutic protocols. Obtaining the most reliable diagnostic material is the essential part of the medical management of patients. Study Design: Here, we try to gain a concise insight into the available data regarding the role of cytology in the application of molecular techniques, focusing on cancer cytopathology. Results: Obtaining cytological material is now feasible by different methods, and in some cases it is the only possible approach to a lesion which is not easily accessible for tissue sampling. The methods of obtaining cytological material have evolved in recent years in parallel with rapid advances in high- throughput molecular techniques, opening new windows for the diagnosis and management of diseases. Conclusions: Different kinds of cytological material are reliable for the application of molecular techniques. Cytological material obtained in a liquid base has advantages such as the better preservation of cytomorphological features and the use of the remaining liquid for nucleic acid extraction even after long storage and the application of molecular methods. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel