Specimen Requirements

Physician or nurse will obtain specimens for cytology during routine pelvic examination. Prior to examination, nurse should obtain PreservCyt®  vial from laboratory.

Monolayer (ThinPrep®)

1. Patient should avoid douches 48 to 72 hours prior to collection.

2. Vaginal lubricant should not be used prior to obtaining specimen.

3. Sample entire ectocervix and endocervix with special emphasis on squamocolumnar junction (transformation zone) using a broom-type sampling cytobrush and/or non-wooden spatula. (Cotton swab is not acceptable.)

4. Immerse specimen in PreservCyt® solution and rinse cells immediately by pushing bristles of broom or brush against sides and bottom of ThinPrep® vial several times.

5. Remove and discard collection device.

6. Securely cap ThinPrep® vial.

7. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note:  1. Cervical scrape and endocervical brush or broom are recommended in all cases to be placed in the same vial.

2. Aspiration of fornix (vaginal pool) may also be used and can be helpful in detecting endometrial carcinoma, but is not a substitute for cytology specimens or endometrial biopsy. Endometrial aspirations are not advised for routine use.

3. For lesion of the vagina or vulva, scraping made directly from the lesion is desirable.

4.  Please complete a request form. The following information is required on request form for processing.

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

5. Optional pertinent clinical information includes the following:

A. Date of last menstrual period

B. Hormonal status (eg, postmenopausal, pregnant)

C. Exogenous hormone therapy (including BCPs, treatment for endocrine responsive malignancy, estrogen creams)

D. Presence of IUD

E. DES exposure

F. History of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical malignancy, or any extragenital malignancy

G. History of systemic chemotherapy

H. History of pelvic radiotherapy

I. History of gynecologic surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery

J. Date of last gynecological smear and history with dates of any previous abnormal histology or cytology reports

K. Any current abnormal findings or patient complaints

L. High-risk factors for cervical cancer (eg, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual activity at an early age, number of pregnancies, if obtainable, and smoking)

6. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.

Cytyc PreservCyt® Vial

1. Cytyc PreservCyt® vial is used when ordering human papillomavirus virus (HPV) along with a pap smear or when ordering a pap smear with reflex to HPV if results are atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance “ASCUS.” These specimens are routed to Cytology for pap smear, and then to RMH Special Testing for HPV testing.

2. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

4. Mark requisition for either ThinPrep® Pap-HPV if “ASCUS” pap result or ThinPrep® pap-HPV test regardless of pap result.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. HPV testing can be added to a ThinPrep® pap smear up to 30 days after collection. Please call customer service at 614-566-5236 to request add on HPV test.