CallCenter: liquid-based cytology (LBC) of the cervix with sampling at a medical centre

Quick diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the early stage allows for effective treatment. If cervical cancer is detected early, it is almost 100% curable. For this reason, regular screening (at least every 3 years) is so important.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an alternative to conventional cytology.  It is a modern and, above all, precise method of screening.

Who LBC is for:

This test is recommended for all women of reproductive age and sexually active teenage girls. The first cytology should be performed at the age of 25 at the latest.

Why you should get tested:

• Thanks to the modern technique of processing the collected material, it is possible to obtain a greater number of cells to be assessed, and thus the test results are more accurate.
• The rate of detection of abnormal lesions when using liquid-based cytology is significantly higher than in the case of conventional cytology, therefore the screening is more sensitive.
• Liquid-based cytology is more accurate - it allows for a greater detectability of lesions compared to conventional cytology.
• More accurate results mean better and faster diagnostic decisions.
• Additional tests can also be performed from the sample in a liquid medium, if necessary.

 

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an alternative to conventional cytology.  This is a different and more accurate method of testing. The difference in technique is that the brush with the collected material is first transferred to a container filled with a proper fixative fluid. Only then, in the laboratory, the suspension from the test tube is applied to the glass slide to obtain one layer of cells. In conventional cytology, the collected sample is transferred to the microscope slide while still in the doctor's office, right after collection.  Liquid-based cytology allows for filtering out the impurities (e.g. blood, mucus, inflammatory cells) from preparation. Such impurities may hinder the assessment of cervical cells. Samples with a lot of blood, mucus and inflammatory cells are usually considered "unsatisfactory for assessment". As result patients sometimes need to repeat the test.

Placing the collected sample quickly in the fixative fluid prevents it from drying out and reduces the risk of errors in microscopic assessment due to inadequate fixation of the preparation. This makes it easier to find abnormalities.

Liquid-based cytology provides more cells for assessment than conventional cytology. This way it improves the quality of the smear assessment and reduces the number of false-negative results.

In countries where liquid-based cytology is already widely used, the percentage of incorrect samples and inconclusive results has decreased.

Contraindications for LBC examination:

Note that samples for the test cannot be collected during menstruation. 

Test procedure:

• The sample collection for examination is performed on a gynaecological chair.
• It involves inserting a speculum into the vagina and collecting a sample of the exfoliated cervical epithelium. This procedure is virtually painless, although patients may feel mild discomfort.
• The entire test, including the preparation, takes just a couple of minutes.

How to prepare for the LBC test:

• Sample collection for liquid-based cytology resembles a standard cytological examination and requires a patient to be appropriately prepared. Instructions on how to prepare for the cytology are included in the documents tab.