This involves examining smears of cells of both the nucleus and also the cytoplasm (body) of the cell to diagnose and screen for inflammation, cancer, and abnormalities. It’s mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer but also used to screen for fetal abnormalities, for pap smears, to diagnose infectious organisms, and in other screening and diagnostic areas.

The cells to be examined may be taken through the following methods:

• Scraping or brushing the tissue surface
• Collecting body fluids
• Fine-needle aspirations. .
• Other types of tissue biopsy