Cytopathology Service

STPA’s practice includes a very active cytopathology section staffed by board certified cytopathologists that service a large radiologist-directed fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy practice, which includes specimens from CT, Ultrasound, and Special Procedure suites, as well as an Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA practice servicing gastroenterologists and Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) guided FNA biopsy and robotic navigation biopsy practice servicing pulmonologists all specially trained in these procedures.

A pathologist works in concert with the radiologist/gastroenterologist/pulmonologist to prepare and examine the specimen for all cytopathology procedures. This allows for rapid evaluation to ensure that the specimen can be collected for routine cytologic interpretation as well as for special testing, such as microbiologic cultures, flow cytometry and special molecular testing. Our practice also includes a large number of non-gynecologic cytopathology samples (body fluids, washings and brushings, etc.) and many fine needle aspirates sent from outpatient clinics and doctors’ offices.

STPA no longer interprets gynecologic Pap smears, and any we receive are sent to an outside gynecologic Pap smear reference laboratory. We have fully integrated our cytopathology service with hematopathology, employing both in-house flow cytometric analysis and tissue immunocytochemistry in our evaluation of lymphoproliferative and other hematologic processes frequently encountered in cytopathology practices.