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HealthEast Medical Laboratory (HML) provides a full range of cytology services including:
Cervical cancer is almost 100% curable if detected early. HML offers conventional pap testing as well as the ThinPrep pap test. ThinPrep is the latest in pap smear technology and has been approved by the FDA as a superior test in the detection of cellular abnormalities.
Cells are collected in the traditional manner, but are then rinsed into a vial of preservative (PreservCyt) instead of using the conventional smearing technique. PreservCyt provides immediate wet fixation which eliminates mechanical distortions (clumping) and air drying artifact. The preservative also aids in the lysing of common biological factors, such as blood, mucus, and inflammation, which can sometimes obscure abnormal cells.
The vial is then transported to HML and processed using the ThinPrep 2000 Processor which randomly disperses the cell sample and transfers a calculated number of cells to a glass slide via a filter. A thin monolayer slide is then produced for screening.
By improving the sample quality and reducing the number of slides compromised by mechanical and obscuring factors, we significantly reduce the number of patients called back for repeat tests. Additional tests may also be performed using the ThinPrep vial, such as testing for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) without requiring another office visit. The physician has the option at the time of collection to request Reflex HPV testing if a pap smear is diagnosed as Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS).
HML, as a full service reference laboratory, provides a number of non-gynecological tests, including the screening of body fluids, washes and brushes and hospital-based fine needle aspiration biopsies.
A fine needle aspiration is a very safe, fast and relatively non-invasive diagnostic procedure. It is performed by a board-certified cytopathologist on superficial, palpable masses, usually greater than 0.5 cm . The pathologists are able to immediately check for cellular adequacy, reducing the possibility of an additional patient visit due to an inadequate sample. Common site tests include masses found in the head and neck, thyroid, breast, soft tissue and lymph nodes. Test results are usually available to the physician the next day after 4 pm.
Call HML at 651-232-3500, to have one of our sales representatives put together a complete program of laboratory services designated specifically to meet your needs.
