What is a cytotechnologist?

Answer Cytotechnology is the microscope study of cells for evidence of disease, such as cancer. Many other conditions, including viral and bacterial infections, also are indentified using cytotogical techniques. Cytotechnologists evaluate cell samples that have been shed normally, scraped from the body, or aspirated with a fine needle. Cytotechnologists are trained to notice subtle changes in cells so they can accurately identify precancerous, malignant and infectious conditions. For example, a cytotechnologist might examine cerbral spinal fluid to determine whether a patient is suffering from an infection such as meningitis. Answer Diagnosing cancer and some diseases by analyzing cell morphology using a microscope. We deal with all sorts of specimens, but only liquid based ones, not tissues.

Cytology is the study of the formation, structure and function of cells. Cytotechnologists are trained technologists to work with pathologists to detect changes in cellular material from all body sites in the early diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. Physicians use the information supplied by the cytotechnologists.

Cytotechnologists work with a wide variety of laboratory specimen preparations and a basic knowledge of contemporary procedures and technologies such as image analysis, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular diagnostic procedures, and automation.