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Sputum cytology
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Sputum cytology means putting a sample of sputum under the microscope to look for abnormal cells. Cytology means the study of cells. It is used to find lung cancer cells and also material that is not cancerous.
Sputum is not simply saliva: it is a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the airway. What comes up from the airway arrives mixed with what is in the mouth. Sputum often appears after an infection or after irritation of the mucosa, the moist lining inside the airway.
Collecting it usually does not call for putting anything into the body, so it counts as noninvasive. The person first spits out the saliva, then takes three deep breaths and coughs to bring up the sputum.
In brief
Sputum cytology examines a sputum sample under the microscope to look for abnormal cells, and it is used to find lung cancer cells and noncancerous material.
Sputum is a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the airway, often after an infection or irritation of the mucosa.
What comes up from the airway arrives mixed with what is in the mouth.
Collection is usually noninvasive: after spitting out the saliva, the person takes three deep breaths and coughs.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingSputum Analysis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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