Study Guide

Objectives

In this course, the student will gain a basic understanding of the principles, process and quality management of laboratory studies in clinical histology and cytology.

After completion of the course the student:
• knows how to take histological samples
• knows how to make histological sections
• knows the histological structures of normal tissues
• knows the theory of the most common histological stainings, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology applications
• recognizes the histological stainings
• knows the practices of determining the cause of death
• knows the principles of digital pathology
• knows the methods of cytology sample collection and knows how to process cytological samples
• knows the key cytological reporting systems

Content

• Clinical histology and cytology as a specialty
• Histological samples, their collection methods and fixation
• Tissue dissection, processing, embedding and cutting. Frozen section technology
• Detection of the microscopic structure of normal tissues under a microscope and digitally
• The most common histological stainings. Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Pathology Methods
• Microscopic identification of histological stainings
• Quality assurance and occupational safety of dyeing, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology methods
• Medical and forensic investigation of the cause of death
• Digital pathology

• Cytological samples, collection methods, fixation and processing techniques
• Papanicolaou staining
• Cytological criteria for malignancy and key cytology reporting systems
• Microscopic examination of the Pap test and response according to the Bethesda system
• Screening method
• Quality assurance and occupational safety in cytology

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Students will identify key methods of histotechnology and cytotechnology. The student performs the preparation of histological and cytological samples with significant assistance. Identifies the most common normal tissues, key cytological stainings, and the most important normal findings from a gynecological Pap sample. The student is familiar with the principles and clinical use of key histological and immunohistochemical stainings, as well as molecular pathology. Partly knows the reporting systems of cytological samples and is familiar with screening. Is able to define methods of quality assurance in pathology. Students will identify occupational safety issues in the pathology laboratory.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is able to explain the methods of histotechnology and cytotechnology mainly. Students are able to apply theoretical knowledge to the preparation of a histological sample. Identifies normal findings from the histological structure of most common tissues and gynecological Pap sample. Knows the reporting systems of cytological samples and is familiar with screening studies. The student is familiar with the principles and clinical use of key histological and immunohistochemical stainings, as well as molecular pathology. The student is able to recognize microscopically the most common histological stainings. The student is able to apply the quality assurance methods of pathology. The student works in the pathology laboratory taking occupational safety issues into account and is able to justify his/her actions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to explain the methods of histotechnology and cytology mainly. The student is able to evaluate the preparation of samples of pathology. Recognizes most of the histological structure of the most common normal tissues. The student is able to critically evaluate the staning results and the factors affecting them. Students will be able to explain the principles and clinical use of key histological and immunohistochemical stainings, as well as molecular pathology. The student is able to apply histology quality assurance methods. Can evaluate key findings of gynecological Pap test according to Bethesda system. Knows screening studies and their significance excellently. The student is able to evaluate pathology in the laboratory taking into account occupational safety issues and is able to justify his/her actions.