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Rutgers SHP Requirements for Graduation and Course Descriptions

Department of CLS&MIS

Diagnostic Cytopathology - Entry Level

DCYT5229 - Diagnostic Cytology III

Course Description

This course provides basic and advanced theoretical and practical concepts associated with fine needle aspiration techniques (FNA) associated with deep seated sites, touch preparations and cell blocks. Principles of FNA biopsy indications and characteristics of different image-guided modalities (e.g., transcutaneous, endoscopic ultrasound guided, endobronchial ultrasound guided and CT guided) will be discussed. Cytomorphological features of fine needle aspiration, touch preparations and cell blocks associated with benign and malignant processes of the, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and mediastinum, genitourinary tract, deep, lymph nodes, central nervous system, and other anatomical sites will be covered. The triaging of samples and transportation media for companion diagnostics will be stressed. Principles of immuostains and histochemical stain interpretation and correlations will be covered. Topics associated with current, uniform report writing will be discussed. Cytology/histology correlation will be emphasized. The course also includes critical analysis and synthesis of literature.

Credits/Modes of Instruction

Credits: 3

3 credit hours/mixed mode
This course will be offered over the 16-week Spring semester using mixed mode instruction consisting of traditional classroom and web instruction, classroom instruction consists of PowerPoint presentation, class discussions, video presentations of fine needle aspiration procedure, and ultrasound-guided modalities. Students will spend 165 hours on the course. 80 contact hours of classroom, online instruction and microscopic sessions over the 16-week period and approximately 85 hours devoted to readings, discussion board postings, quizzes and examinations. Clinical observation will be done during the summer semester with Clinical Practicum II.

Prerequisites

DCYT 5139 Diagnostic Cytology I.

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals

This course provides students with theoretical and practical applications of fine needle aspiration procedures associated with deep seated sites, touch preparations and cell blocks. Students will evaluate and critically analyze scientific literature

Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the fine needle aspiration procedure performed on palpable and nonpalpable lesions in various anatomical sites
2. Discuss the various methods of specimen preparation including touch preparations and cell blocks, routine staining methods and companion diagnostics such as immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical staining methods, and molecular tests used in the diagnosis of neoplasms
3. Explain the principles of FNA performance including indications, contraindications and characteristics of various image-guided modalities (e.g., transcutaneous, endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound-guided)
4. Discuss the embryologic, anatomic, physiologic features of sites often sampled with FNA including liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenals, mediastinum, lungs, deep seated lymph nodes and various other sites
5. Identify and explain the cellular features associated with an adequate sample, benign changes, microbiologic entities, effects of radiation and chemotherapy, benign and malignant neoplasms as well as altered cellular morphology due to collection methods
6. Develop differential diagnoses based on synthesis of clinical data, cytological findings, and corresponding cell block with the use of companion diagnostics (immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical stains, microbiology, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis)