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| Title | CYTOLOGY, SPUTUM |
| Specimen Requirement | <p>Collect fresh early morning expectorated sputum (not saliva or nasal aspirate) into a sterile plastic screw capped container. <strong>First cough specimen is the most rewarding. Refrigerate specimen but do not allow specimen to freeze.</strong> Note: Please use the required pap/tissue requisitions provided.</p> |
| Methodology | Papanicolaou stain. |
| Stability | Refrigerated: 72 hours |
| Reference Range | Presence or absence of malignant cells. Abnormal cells related to certain non-neoplastic conditions. |
| Turnaround | 2-4 days. |
| Clinical Use | <p>Aids in the detection of malignant cells.</p> |
| Test Code | CYTO |
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