mgh:cyto-rotation
- Clinical Rotations
- Anatomic Pathology residents spend four weeks on the cytology service during AP1 (rotation-1), and six weeks during AP2 (rotation-2). Each week that you are on the cytology service, you will be assigned to work a faculty member who is on-service, and you will have an opportunity to review and diagnose current cytology cases. Additionally, there are structured learning modules for rotation-1 and rotation-2.
Rotation 1 (4 weeks)
Rotation-1 curriculum is intended to be completed during four weeks of AP1.
- 1-1 Introduction to Cytology
- 1-2 Cytomorphology Basics
- 1-3 GYN Cytology Basics
- 1-3 GYN Cytomorphology- Squamous
- 1-3 GYN Cytomorphology- Glandular (Quiz for 1-3)
- 1-4 Body Cavity Fluids
- 1-5 Cerebrospinal Fluid
- 1-6 Urine Cytology
- 1-7 Respiratory Cytology
- 1-8 Thyroid and Parathyroid Cytology
- 1-9 Salivary Gland and Head/Neck Cytology
- 1-10 Liver Cytology
- 1-11 Pancreas Cytology
- 1-12 Kidney Cytology
- 1-13 Adrenal Gland Cytology
- 1-14 Breast Cytology
- 1-15 Basic Lymph Node Cytology
- 1-16 Bone/Soft Tissue Cytology
- 1-17 Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Service
Rotation 2 (2 weeks)
Rotation-2 curriculum is advanced, and intended to be completed during two weeks of AP-2.
Welcome to Cytology
Cytopathology is considered a subspecialty of anatomic pathology but in reality the discipline touches on all areas of anatomic pathology, albeit from the vantage point of the individual cell rather than tissue. The cytopathology laboratory functions separately but in parallel with the other anatomic pathology and clinical pathology labs. Correlation of cytopathology findings with test results obtained on concurrent tissue samples and other ancillary tests (biochemical and molecular) helps to improve diagnostic accuracy. Correlation with clinical and radiologic findings is also important. Residency training in cytopathology trains residents to be competent using a stepwise process for each organ system:
- Indications for cytological examination
- How to procure the specimen
- Specimen processing
- Test platforms used
- Reporting terminology
- Cytomorphology of normal cells and pathologically altered cells
The learning goals are in tune with the pathology milestones. The resident is expected to be at level 1 at the start of residency. Therefore the learning objectives are divided into the levels 2, 3 and 4 to correlate with the milestones. Residents may advance at a more or less accelerated pace through these levels.
