Laboratory Medicine

Snyder, John R.

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.518pmid: N/A

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.519pmid: N/A

Stombler, Robin E.

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.521pmid: N/A

Strazzella, Michael P.

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.523pmid: N/A

Castellone, Donna D.

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.525pmid: N/A

Papadea, Christine

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.528pmid: N/A

Weikersheimer, Patricia Bereck

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.530pmid: N/A

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.538pmid: N/A

Dale, Jane C.

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.540pmid: N/A

The total testing process consists of three separate phases—the preanalytic, the analytic, and the postanalytic. The accuracy and reliability of a laboratory result depend on the quality of each phase. In this article, the common variables in the preanalytic phase and their effect on test result quality are reviewed. This article explains the rationale for the specimen collection, processing, and transportation requirements for commonly ordered laboratory tests.

Wildes, Julia Woodruff

doi: 10.1093/labmed/29.9.546pmid: N/A

The Pap smear is the most successful cancer screening method known, playing a pivotal role in the dramatic decrease in incidence of and mortality from invasive cervical cancer. The Bethesda System, sometimes called TBS, for reporting cytologic diagnoses of cervicovaginal samples originated from a conference held by the National Cancer Institute in 1988. The Bethesda System provides a means of communicating Pap smear diagnoses to clinicians in a standardized manner and has largely supplanted previous systems, such as the Papanicolaou classification. This article provides basic information about premalignant and malignant lesions involving the cervix and their classification under the Bethesda System. A brief overview of relevant cervical anatomy and histologic and cytopathologic features is included.