Liquid based cytology ( LBC ) is a new technique for collecting cytological samples in order to detect cervical cancer.

With conventional cytology a smear taker takes a sample that is applied directly on the slide for microscopic examination.

With LBC, samples are collected in liquid vials and slide is prepared semi-automatically at the laboratory.

Better yield as entire material collected from cervix by brush is transferred to vial without any loss.

Improvement of processing of samples resulting in an even distribution of cells on the slides.

HPV ( human papilloma virus ) is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted.

Sexually transmitted HPVs fall into two groups- low risk HPVs and high risk HPVs.

Low risk HPVs mostly cause no disease.

High risk HPVs can cause several types of cancer.

There are 14 high risk HPV types including HPV 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,66 and 68. HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for most HPV related cancers, including cervical cancer.

Other cancers caused by HPV are oropharyngeal cancers, anal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.

HPV vaccination prevents HPV infection.

HPV vaccine GARDASIL 9 protects against infection from 9 HPV sub types- 2 low risk and 7 high risk HPV types that cause most HPV related cancers.

HPV vaccine is only preventive and not used to treat HPV infections or diseases caused by HPV.

HPV vaccination offers most protection when given at ages 9-12 and is estimated to prevent upto 90 % of HPV related cancers.

Girls and boys at ages 11-12 ( can be given after age 9 ).

Vaccination before age 15 requires 2 doses.

For young people who weren’t vaccinated within the age recommendations, HPV vaccine is recommended upto age 26.

Those who receive their first dose at age 15 or older need 3 doses to be protected.

Vaccine can be given to adults between age 27 and 45, however they are less likely to benefit from vaccine, because they are more likely to have been exposed to HPV already.

Therefore vaccination is not routinely recommended for people in this age group.

Fine needle aspiration is a type of biopsy procedure. In fine needle aspiration, a thin needle is inserted into an area of abnormal-appearing tissue/swelling or body fluid. It causes minimal trauma to the patient & generally considered a safe procedure. Complications are infrequent.

A fine needle aspiration is most often done on swellings or lumps/superficial masses located just under the skin.

1. A simple, quick and inexpensive method that is used to sample superficial masses like those found in the neck.

2. It is usually performed in the outpatient clinic.

3. We can do sampling from multiple sites in the same settings.

4. Turn around time(TAT) is nearly 2 to 5 hours

5. We can performed other ancilliary studies(IHC/molecular testing) by making cell block from aspirated material.

FNAC smear means cytological examination can only determine whether the cells are malignant, but can not type the tissues or sometimes typing & grading of tumour is also not possible.

Frozen section refers to the process where there is rapid tissue section cooled with a cryostat to provide immediate report of the tissue sample while patient is under anaesthesia on the operating table.

1. Establish nature of a lesion - whether benign or malignant which will decide further management by the clinician.

2. Establish presence of a lesion in surgically suspicious areas.

3. Determine organ of origin especially in parathyroid surgery.

4. Determine adequacy of margins.