Cytopathology Flashcards
7 cards from real ABPATH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cytopathology flashcards as text
Which HPV genotypes are most strongly associated with cervical squamous carcinoma detected on Pap testing?
Answer: HPV 16 and 18
HPV 16 and 18 are the high-risk genotypes responsible for most cervical cancers.
A breast FNA shows cohesive sheets of bland ductal cells with numerous bipolar bare nuclei in the background. Which interpretation is favored?
Answer: Benign (fibrocystic changes)
Cohesive bland cells with abundant bipolar bare nuclei indicate a benign process.
Which cytologic feature most distinguishes reactive urothelial cells (e.g., from instrumentation) from carcinoma?
Answer: Smooth nuclear membranes with even chromatin
Reactive cells retain smooth nuclear membranes and even chromatin despite enlargement.
On thyroid FNA, plasmacytoid cells with salt-and-pepper chromatin and amyloid stroma suggest which tumor?
Answer: Medullary thyroid carcinoma
Plasmacytoid neuroendocrine cells with amyloid characterize medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Which immunostain confirms neuroendocrine differentiation in a suspected small cell carcinoma cytology specimen?
Answer: Synaptophysin
Synaptophysin is a specific marker of neuroendocrine differentiation.
A lymph node FNA shows a monotonous population of small lymphocytes that are kappa light-chain restricted by flow cytometry. This indicates:
Answer: A B-cell lymphoma (clonal process)
Light-chain restriction demonstrates monoclonality, indicating a B-cell lymphoma.
In liquid-based cytology, which advantage is most notable compared with conventional smears?
Answer: Reduced obscuring blood and inflammation with even cell distribution
Liquid-based preparations clear obscuring material and distribute cells evenly in a thin layer.