The role of cellular pathology in the investigation of lymphoma - Essay Example

A cytopathologist may perform a Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in the case of smaller infected sites such as lymph nodes only. Following the diagnosis of the presence of the illness, the tissue samples are screened and examined under a microscope. To successfully treat lymphoma, it is vital to know what type of lymphoma is taking over the patients system. There are two types of lymphoma; in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the lymphoma tumors invade the lymphatic system, overall weakening the sufferer.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is singled out by an even spread of infected cells (lymphocytes) over the body’s lymph nodes. It spreads from lymph node to the next, forming a gross and maybe a fatal cycle, rather similar to that of the plague, which is painful and unbearable for the victim. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is diagnosed by the appearance of Reed-Sternberg cells (different giant cells originally derived from B lymphocytes), seen under light microscopy of biopsies or NFAC’s. The other type of lymphoma is Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

It causes swelling of the infected lymph nodes, and its onset maybe aggressive (fast), or indolent (slow/gradual). Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may occur at any age, and cause obsolete swellings about the body. Collection of fluid due to the diseased lymphatic system causes most of the swellings (with the exception Cellular/ Cyto pathology (basically means study of cells) is the branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis of diseases. This practice was founded/ invented by Rudolf Virchow in 1858.

As the name suggests, cells are primarily used to diagnose illnesses. The cells are obtained via biopsies or Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology – involves the sucking of cells from the diseased tissue by using a very fine needle/ syringe. Smears may also be used (such as the Pap smear – to diagnose cervical diseases), but only in complicated cases. These methods of extracting body cells for