Results are generally available within 6 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Specimen: Liquid based gynecologic sample. Cytology, SurePath Collection Method.

Container: SurePath collection vial.

Patient preparation: Patient should avoid douches 48-72 hours prior to examination. If concurrent biopsy is performed, obtain Pap smear prior to cervical biopsies or polypectomies. Smear obtained midcycle is preferable.

Collection: The Rovers Cervex Brush (Broom) or Wallach Papette are the two collection devices approved for use with the SurePath test. To collect the sample, begin by visualizing the uterine cervix. The central bristles of the Cervex-Brush (Broom) are inserted into the endocervical canal. Using gentle pressure, the broom is pushed in the direction of the cervix until the lateral bristles are splayed out over the ectocervix. The broom is then rotated 5 full turns in a clockwise direction. After the sample is collected, the broom is removed. While holding the handle of the broom in a gloved hand, the broom head is dislodged from the handle and the tip is placed into the SurePath collection vial.

Handling Instructions: Fixative vials may be stored for 6 months unrefrigerated.

Special Instructions: Include pertinent clinical history (i.e. age, LMP, PMP, surgery, exogenous hormones, history of carcinoma, radiation, chemotherapy, abnormal vaginal bleeding and previous abnormal pap smears). Must include age, LMP, and date of sample collection with the test order request. Distinguish diagnostic from screening pap and include ICD-9 coding.

Request Form: Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Liquid Based Gyn Cytology, Cervical/Vaginal Smear, SurePath Gyn Cytology, Cervical Cytology, Pap Smear

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: Washings obtained by physician through endoscopy or other means.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Collection: Label with patients name, medical record, number, and date. Send to the Cytology laboratory as soon as possible.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen if unable to deliver to the laboratory immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify site washed. Include pertinent clinical data with test request: admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, bronchoscopic/endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

BAL, Cytology, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Cytology, Washings, Bronchial Washing, Cytology, Pelvic Washing, Cytology, Peritoneal Washing, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: Voided or catheterized urine, intraoperative washings of urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, or renal pelvis.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Special Instructions: Specify site washed. Include pertinent clinical data with request: admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy. For voided urine - hydration of the patient's collection of the second voided urine in the morning, add equal amounts of 50% ethanol.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Voided Urine, Cytology, Urine, Cytology, Bladder Washing, Cytology, Catheterized Urine, Cytology, Renal Pelvis Washing, Cytology, Ureteral Washing, Cytology, Urethral Washing, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Bronchoalevolar Lavage (BAL) is a more reliable test for pulmonary cytology. See Cytology, Washings (Opens in a new window).

Collection: Upon arising, patient should rinse mouth with water and expectorate a deep cough specimen into a sterile specimen container. Seal container tightly. Label with patients name and medical record number. Send each specimen to the Cytology Laboratory as soon as possible. The patient is instructed to deposit, in the container, only those secretions coughed up from the bronchial tree in contrast to saliva, which accumulates in the mouth or postnasal accumulation in the pharynx. The best time for collecting sputum is early in the morning just after awakening. Forceful vigorous coughing at this time is often very productive. It is important that the patient rid the mouth of saliva and other material by rinsing the mouth with water before attempting to bring up sputum. For patients with scanty sputum, it may take 15 to 30 minutes of intermittent coughing before an adequate sample can be obtained. For those who experience difficulty, sputum coughed up at any time of the day may be used, or the patient can be scheduled to have Respiratory Therapy collect an induced sputum specimen from them. The specimen is then delivered with the requisition to the Cytology Department.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen (do not freeze) if unable to be delivered during laboratory hours. Transport specimen as soon as possible the next workday.

Special Instructions: Include admitting diagnosis and pertinent clinical history (I.e., age, clinical diagnosis, and exposure to carcinogen) with test request. Be sure to label post-bronchoscopy sputum as such where applicable.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Cytology, Induced Sputum Cytology, Sputum, Sputum, Unfixed

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5pm. 

Collection: Soak nipple with warm saline in cotton or gauze for 10-15 minutes, then gently stroke subareolar area and nipple with thumb and forefinger. When liquid appears, allow drop to accumulate on apex of the nipple. Place drop on slide. With separate slide make unilayer smear. Place immediately in 95% ethyl alcohol (cytology fixative). Make four to six smears as the amount of specimen allows. Leave one slide out of fixative to air dry. If smears are prepared from both breasts, label each slide as left or right. Label all slides with patients name and medical record number.

Patient Preparation: Nipple should be cleaned vigorously to remove loose skin cells.

Additional Information: For patients with a palpable mass, needle aspiration is a more productive procedure. Mammography should also be performed.

Special Instructions: Information regarding the sample site and pertinent clinical data (I.e., unilateral or bilateral discharge, one duct or multiple involved, cyclic or noncyclic discharge, admitting diagnosis, age radiographic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy) is essential to interpretation and should be received with the specimen.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Breast Discharge Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Call the Cytology Lab (503 494-8278) to request Pathology assistance.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Needle Aspiration With Radiologic Guidance, Fine Needle Aspirate with Radiologic Guidance, FNA with Radiologic Guidance

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5pm. 

Call the Cytology Lab (503 494-8278) to request Pathology assistance or to schedule a needle aspiration to be performed by the pathologist.

Special Instructions: Specify body site. Include pertinent clinical data (i.e., age, location of mass, and history of carcinoma or infection). 

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Fine Needle Aspirate, FNA, Cytology, FNAB, Cytology, Needle Aspiration, Cytology, Cytology of Palpable Mass

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Specimen: 1-2mL minimum fresh fluid; additional volume preferred.

Container: Use sterile tube from lumbar puncture tray or sterile disposable container.

Collection: Label with patient's name, medical record number, and collection date. Send to Cytology Laboratory IMMEDIATELY.

Handling Instructions: Cells in cerebrospinal fluid are fragile and deteriorate rapidly. Refrigerate specimen if unable to deliver to the laboratory immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify specimen origin. Include pertinent clinical data (i.e., admitting, diagnosis, age, and history.)

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

CSF, Cytology, Spinal Fluid, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days following receipt of the specimen.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Container: 95% ethyl alcohol or spray fixative and sterile leakproof specimen container with saline for transporting of disposable brush.

Collection: Label frosted end of slide with patients name, medical record number, and site brushed. Roll brush gently over glass slide to cover the area of a dime and fix immediately in 95% ethyl alcohol. Label containers with exact body site, patients name and medical record number. Clip off disposable brush and put in saline or Cytorich Red Solution available from the Cytology Department to submit to the laboratory.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen if it cannot be sent to Cytology immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify the site brushed. Include pertinent clinical data on requisition (i.e., admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, bronchoscopic/endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy).

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Bile Duct Brushing, Cytology, Bronchial Brushing, Cytology, Colonic Brushing, Cytology, Esophageal Brushing, Cytology, Gastric Brushing, Cytology, Oropharyngeal Brushing, Cytology, Small Bowel Brushing, Cytology, Tracheal Brushing, Cytology, Ureteral Brushing, Cytology, Urethral Brushing, Cytology

Results are generally available 2 business days following receipt of the specimen.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: 10 mL or more; 1mL minimum. Fluids include: ascitic, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, or culdocentesis.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Handling Instructions: Submit fluids fresh and un-fixed. Refrigerate specimens if they cannot be sent or processed by Cytopathology immediately. Exfoliated cells deteriorate rapidly in the effusion, both in vivo and in vitro.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

1 mL

Body Fluids, Cytology, Effusions, Cytology, Fluids, Cytology