This test is prescribed by a doctor if the patient suspects the development of cancer of the urinary tract, and is also used as a way to monitor cancer treatment.
| Deadlines | 3-5days |
| Synonyms (rus) | Microscopy of urinary sediment |
| Methods | Urine filtration, centrifugation |
| Units | PC. |
| Preparing for the study | maintaining hygiene of the genitourinary system |
| Examination of the first portion of urine | |
| Using a sterile container that has not been treated with chemical detergents | |
| Type of biomaterial and methods of taking it | Urine |
For the first time, such a diagnosis was carried out to diagnose urinary tract cancer. And then the method began to be used to determine shifts hormonal levels during the menstrual period, as a result of which it was discovered that the cell content in urine sediment changes cyclically, like the vaginal epithelium.
Such fluctuations in the quantity and quality of cellular material in urine sediment are explained by the functional characteristics of the female reproductive system. In this case, the formation of multilayered squamous epithelial tissue of the vagina, epithelial tissue in the Lieto triangle of the bladder and urethral epithelium during embryological development occurs from one urogenital sinus, which explains their relationship.
The diagnostic technique involves using the first portions of urine discharge in the morning, which contains the largest number of cell elements. It is also possible to collect the material later and even store it, but the quality of the analysis still decreases. Urine is collected in a clean, preferably sterile container that has not been cleaned with chemicals household chemicals. The resulting material is filtered using a cotton filter placed in a funnel. The sediment on the cotton wool is used to dab onto a glass slide on top of a small layer of egg white applied in advance. Fix with 95% alcohol and ether in a ratio of 1:1 - 2 minutes. Then they are stained according to Romanovsky and the number of cells is counted.
The second method involves collecting 50 ml of urine, which is centrifuged for 10 minutes, the layer formed at the bottom of the test tube is dropped onto a glass slide using a pipette and again fixed with a mixture of ether and alcohol, then staining is done, most often using the polychrome method, and 100 or 200 cellular elements are counted. then the index is calculated.
Normally, urine should contain five types of cells:
- nuclear-free in the amount of 2-20% for women in childbearing age. At higher levels, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the patient’s adrenal glands;
- basal;
- basophilic keratinizing;
- acidophilus keratinized;
- intermediate.
Studies show that in a healthy woman aged 20-30 years, the eosinophilic index and karyopyknotic index of urine sediment smear and vaginal smear change in equal proportions. Accordingly, the diagnostic effectiveness of both smears is equivalent. Therefore, the cytological method is often prescribed if it is impossible to take a smear from the vagina. It allows you to make a diagnosis in the early stages, although the result of the study is not 100% indicative of the presence cancerous tumor.
Urine cytology- This is a special examination of urine using a microscope. The purpose of this analysis is to detect atypical or cancer cells. As a rule, the doctor prescribes a similar test if a tumor of the urinary tract is suspected.
Most often, cytology is taken if bladder cancer is suspected, although the results may suggest oncological diseases of the kidney, ureters and urethra, and prostate cancer.
Your doctor will definitely order tests if you have had episodes of blood in your urine. Urine cytology is also required in patients suffering from bladder cancer. Monitoring allows for timely detection of relapse of the disease.
Urine cytology may not diagnose small and benign tumors urinary tract, but usually easily diagnoses large cancers.
There are some risks in interpreting the analysis result. They are usually associated with violations of the analysis collection method. Be sure to collect urine in a clean container; one portion is enough. If urine collection is carried out using a catheter, there may be deviations in the results due to the risk of urinary tract infection.
How to pass urine cytology correctly?
The first morning urination is not suitable for analysis, since the cells remained in the bladder all night and could be destroyed and this will cause difficulties in diagnosis. In the morning, urinate, take a shower, and then you will need to collect urine for the test. A sterile container is best for collection and storage. The doctor may order a urine test for a whole week. Study large quantity samples increases the accuracy of urine cytology results.
In the laboratory, a histologist or pathologist will analyze all the cells in the sample and describe their types, identifying changes that indicate pathology.
Each laboratory describes urine cytology results differently, but there are common terms that appear in almost every result:
- An unsatisfactory sample means that the test needs to be repeated because an insufficient number of cells or the wrong types of cells were found in the test sample.
- Negative urine cytology – there are no cancer cells in the urine sample.
- Atypical urine cytology - small changes were found in the cells of the sample. The cells were not normal, but at the same time they did not look like cancer cells.
- Suspicious urine cytology– The cells in the sample were not normal and may possibly be cancerous.
- Positive urine cytology – the urine sample is contaminated with malignant cells.
When diagnosing urinary tract oncology, not only urine cytology analysis is used, but only the initial stage of the examination. If abnormalities are found during cytological studies, the doctor prescribes a cystoscopy to examine the bladder and urinary tract.
Galina Semenova, Illustrations from the site: © 2011 Thinkstock.
Women are often exposed to diseases of the urinary system, which are infectious or inflammatory in nature. This is explained anatomical features structure of the female pelvis. A visual examination using a cystoscope is not always sufficient to make an accurate diagnosis, so it is advisable to conduct cytological studies.
Bladder cytology is a diagnostic test that allows women to test their bladder for cancer.
This study is prescribed in a situation where there is a suspicion of the presence of a malignant tumor in the organs of the urinary system. Often, patients who are likely to have cancer cells resort to this method.
Indications for cytological examination
Cytology of the bladder is prescribed for those patients who:
- a malignant tumor has already been identified tumor organs of the urinary system, cytological studies in this case make it possible to monitor how the disease progresses;
- there is a suspicion of the presence malignant tumors, diagnostics allows to identify cancer;
- present blood in the urine, this serves as a signal about the presence of pathology, so the doctor must prescribe a cytological diagnosis;
- treatment of the disease is completed, timely diagnosis makes it possible to assess the progress of treatment and avoid relapse diseases.
What is studied through cytology
Cytological examination of the bladder is a study using a microscope of the sediment of a urine sample obtained after centrifugation of the biomaterial. This study is carried out by a histologist in a laboratory setting.
The purpose of cytology is to detect abnormal cells that may be excreted in the urine. Diagnostics makes it possible to accurately identify the presence of a malignant process in the organs of the urinary system.
However, if you receive an unsatisfactory, atypical or suspicious result, you should resort to repeated and additional tests.
Preparation for the procedure
To submit a urine sample for analysis, you should adhere to the following: general rules, such as maintaining personal hygiene standards and using a sterile container intended for collecting biomaterial.
A significant difference in preparation for cytology lies in the time of collection and the amount of material collected.
Urine collection is carried out in the morning, but not immediately after waking up. Biomaterial for analysis is collected approximately 2 hours after the bladder has been emptied of fluid accumulated overnight. If you get up in the morning at 7 o'clock, then it is better to immediately visit the toilet and defecate.
Avoid drinking a lot of fluids as they can dilute the urine. It is recommended to immediately submit the sample to the laboratory in order to obtain more exact result research.
If biomaterial needs to be taken from people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or are seriously ill, then a catheter is provided for such situations. A number of hygiene procedures should be carried out: wash the perineum, wipe with a towel, install a catheter and collect a urine sample.
Interpretation of cytological examination results
In each laboratory, the result of the study is expressed in terms and units of measurement that are different from those obtained in other laboratories. This depends on the equipment used to conduct the study.
The diagnostic results are provided to the attending physician, who studies them and makes a diagnosis. However, there are generally accepted medical terms that are used in all clinics and laboratories, and have an unambiguous interpretation that is accessible even for independent understanding.
An unsatisfactory result indicates that the study did not identify the number of incorrect cells that would allow an accurate conclusion to be drawn, so the tests should be repeated.
An atypical result indicates that cells of an atypical shape were identified in the submitted samples, but such data do not provide accurate information about whether there are cancers in the organs of the urinary system. Additional tests are required.
A suspicious result serves as the first warning sign. This suggests that suspicious cells were detected, but such neoplasms can also be benign.
A positive result indicates that cancer cells have been detected. Which organ of the urinary system has undergone cancer can be identified using specialist diagnostics. In the future, special treatment is prescribed.
A negative result indicates that the presence of cancer cells in the patient’s body has not been detected.
To diagnose bladder cancer, it is necessary to conduct not only a urine test, but also a study of the entire body as a whole. Then, having everything in hand collected tests, the attending physician diagnoses the patient and selects appropriate treatment.
The positive aspect of cytological diagnosis is that, unlike other studies, it is carried out quickly (3-5 days), and the results obtained make it possible to begin timely treatment. Often, a doctor may order several such studies to make an accurate diagnosis and establish the fact of oncology.
