Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How can fluid samples from my pet's body be tested for cancer?
By Wallace, Koranda A et al.Ā·Published in Veterinary clinical pathologyĀ·2015Ā·Department of Pathobiology, United StatesĀ·View original on PubMed ā
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Original publication title: Converting fluid-based cytologic specimens to histologic specimens for immunohistochemistry.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at a new technique for analyzing fluid samples from pets that might have tumors. Sometimes, it's hard to tell what kind of cells are present in these fluids just by looking at them under a microscope. The researchers used a special gel foam method to turn these fluid samples into solid blocks that could be tested further. They found that this method helped them better identify different types of cells, including those that might indicate cancer, in both dogs and cats. Overall, this technique was effective and could save time and money in diagnosing potential issues.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cavitary effusions are often evaluated cytologically to determine if there is an underlying neoplastic cause. Differentiation of neoplastic epithelial from mesothelial populations within effusions can be difficult using routine cytology. In addition, cytology alone cannot provide information on the immunophenotype of round cell populations. Gel foam techniques can be used to convert effusions into cell blocks for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining which can then be used to differentiate mesothelial from epithelial cell populations, and also allow immunophenotyping of round cell populations within effusions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate a gel foam cell block technique for converting potential neoplastic cells in cavitary effusions into cell blocks to characterize these further by IHC. RESULTS: Thirteen canine and 7 feline samples with cohesive cell populations were evaluated using gel foam cell blocks and IHC. Samples evaluated by routine cytology were categorized as (1) epithelial cells, (2) cohesive cell population without cytologic distinction between mesothelial and epithelial cells, and (3) mesothelial cells with signs of atypia. Antibody-mediated staining of vimentin and cytokeratin of the effusion cell blocks yielded further classification of cohesive cell populations. In addition, a total of 4 effusions with malignant round cells were evaluated; they were immunophenotyped as either B- or T-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: The use of cytokeratin and vimentin IHC on gel foam cell blocks from cavitary effusions provided robust staining and allowed characterization of cohesive cells as mesothelial or epithelial and immunophenotyping of lymphoid cell populations. In addition, this method is cost and time effective.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25639814/