Biopsy and pathology
What Is Cytology on a Medical Report?
Cytology · say it: sy-TOL-uh-jeeAlso written: cytopathology, fine needle aspiration (FNA), smear, cell sample
Short answer
Cytology is the study of individual cells, usually from fluid, a smear or a fine needle sample, looked at under a microscope.
What it means
Cytology looks at loose cells rather than a solid piece of tissue. Samples can come from a fine needle aspiration (FNA), a cervical screening test, urine, sputum, or fluid drained from around the lungs or abdomen.
Because it looks at single cells or small clusters, cytology is often quicker and less invasive than a biopsy. However, it cannot always show how the cells are arranged in the tissue, so sometimes a biopsy is still needed.
Results may be given in categories, such as non-diagnostic, benign, atypical, suspicious or malignant. Many organs have their own reporting system.
Where you may see it
- Thyroid fine needle aspiration reports
- Cervical screening (Pap) results
- Urine, sputum and body fluid reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Thyroid FNA: Benign (Bethesda category II).
🙅 What it does not mean
- Cytology is not the same as a biopsy. It looks at cells, not whole tissue.
- A non-diagnostic result does not mean something was found. It means there were not enough cells to decide.
- An atypical result does not mean cancer. It often leads to a repeat test.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Cytology”
Paste or upload the report and every line of it is explained, with personal details removed first.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Cytology” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “cytology”
Seeing this word on your own report? Get every line of it explained, free.
Explain my reportMore words: biopsy and pathology
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.