Nipple Discharge - Cytology

Test Includes

Screening and diagnostic interpretation

Specimen Tube Type Transport

See "Specimen Preparation" below.

Summary Test Name

Nipple Discharge - Cytology

Transport Time

Deliver to the lab as soon as possible at room temperature

Specimen Preparation Outreach

See "Specimen Preparation (In House)" below.

Specimen Stability

Specimen slide must be spray fixed to avoid air drying of cells. See "Specimen Preparation" below.

Specimen Transport

Deliver specimens to the Clinical Laboratory Specimen Processing Area on the ground level of main hospital.

Specimen Preparation In House

Gently express secretion from nipple and quickly spread on a glass slide (pre-labeled with patient's name and hospital ID number). This can be done by touching the glass slide to the surface of the nipple, or by transferring the drop of secretion from the nipple to the slide on a nonabsorbent cotton swab which has been pre-moistened with physiologic saline. Rapidly fix with a spray fixative (hold can 10-12 inches from the side) to prevent drying artifact. Make as many smears as the secretion allows, but prepare each slide individually and spray fixing each slide as it is prepared. Allow slides to dry and place in suitable cardboard or other carriers for transport to the lab.

Stat Availability

STAT requests should be kept to a minimum. All STAT requests must be approved by a staff pathologist, and the cytology laboratory notified as soon as possible whenever a STAT is anticipated.

Patient Preparation

Cytopathology - Nipple Discharge