About Cytology
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive with little to no discomfort.Provides rapid results for early disease detection.Crucial for cancer screening and diagnosis (e.g., Pap smear for cervical cancer).Helps guide treatment decisions and monitor therapy effectiveness.Can often be performed in an outpatient setting without anesthesia.
Who is this surgery for?
- Screening for cervical cancer (Pap test).
- Evaluating lumps or masses in organs like the thyroid, breast, or lymph nodes.
- Diagnosing infections or inflammatory conditions.
- Investigating abnormal fluid accumulations (e.g., pleural or abdominal fluid).
- Monitoring for cancer recurrence after treatment.
- Evaluating cells from bronchial washings or sputum for lung disease.
How to prepare
- For a Pap smear: Avoid intercourse, douches, or vaginal medications for 24-48 hours prior.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, especially blood thinners.
- No fasting is typically required for most cytology tests.
- Wear comfortable, easily adjustable clothing for the procedure site.
- Follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider based on the sample site.
Risks & possible complications
- Minimal risks; the procedure is generally very safe.
- Minor bleeding or spotting (common with cervical samples).
- Slight discomfort or cramping during sample collection.
- Very low risk of infection at the collection site.
- Rarely, a false-negative or false-positive result, which is why follow-up is important.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Typically, no specific recovery period is needed; you can resume normal activities immediately.
- You may experience mild spotting or cramping for a day after a Pap smear.
- Keep the sample site clean and dry if instructed.
- Await results from your doctor, which usually take a few days to a week.
- Follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss the results and any necessary next steps.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0-1 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cytology in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pathology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cytology. MediFyr helps you compare pathologist specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cytology compare across other countries where we have data.
Saanvi Brown, a 28-year-old elementary school...
Saanvi Brown, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher, had been experiencing persistent pelvic pain and irregular bleeding between periods for several months. Initially attributing it to stress, she grew concerned when the symptoms didn't subside. Her gynecologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a Pap smear (a cytology test) to screen for cervical cell abnormalities. During the brief procedure, Saanvi felt anxious but was reassured by the nurse's calm demeanor. The sample was sent to a pathologist for analysis. The results came back showing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), indicating possible HPV infection and precancerous changes. Saanvi was initially terrified, fearing a cancer diagnosis. However, her doctor explained it was a very early, treatable change. She underwent a follow-up colposcopy, which confirmed the findings, and had the abnormal cells removed. Six months later, a repeat Pap smear was normal. Saanvi's emotional journey shifted from fear and anxiety to immense relief and empowerment. She now advocates for regular cervical cancer screening among her friends and feels proactive about her health.
Pathologist Specialists for Cytology
Explore experienced pathologist specialists who regularly perform cytology and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 33 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 33 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 29 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 29 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 27 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 20 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 20 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 18 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 18 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 18 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 15 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 13 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 10 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 6 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 22 Years Experience
- Pathologist Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur