Book Review

The Art and Science of Cytopathology

N Engl J Med 1996; 335:1774December 5, 1996

Article

The Art and Science of Cytopathology
Edited by Richard M. DeMay. 1208 pp. in two volumes, illustrated. Chicago, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, 1996. $285. ISBN: 0-89189-322-9

The Art and Science of Cytopathology is a comprehensive textbook and atlas, with one volume on exfoliative cytology and another on fine-needle–aspiration cytology. It is extensively cross-referenced and provides a complete and up-to-date examination of this subspecialty. The volumes are well organized, clearly written, and illustrated with histologic photographs that are well coordinated with the discussions of cytopathology on each page for easy viewing.

The numerous crisp, clear color photographs of cytologic smears are exceptionally detailed, and detail is of the essence in the practice of cytopathology. Anyone who has attempted to photograph three-dimensional cytologic smears for publication knows the challenge of obtaining photographs as crisp as those here. The photographs are shown with both Papanicolaou and Diff–Quik stains, thereby expanding the appeal of the book to an international audience.

The book is also appealing because it integrates the clinical aspects of many diseases. For example, fibrocystic disease of the breast and breast masses in children and adolescents are discussed in depth together with cytologic interpretations and pitfalls of interpretation. Other complicated issues for the cytologist include the interpretation of aspiration cytologic data obtained in irradiated breasts. These are but a few examples of the detail and thoroughness of the book. DeMay addresses less commonly seen diseases as completely and thoroughly as more common ones.

Another example of the thoroughness of this work is the discussion of fine-needle–aspiration cytology of lymphomas. This is a new subject for cytopathologists, and it is well illustrated and discussed. Information on the new international scheme for classifying lymphomas, as well as on flow cytometry and immunohistochemical markers, is well presented and illustrated, and it is current.

The chapter on infectious diseases is less detailed than the others and is perhaps the only weakness of the book. The discussion of infections is reasonable but does not relate directly to the organ or organs involved. Since aspiration is usually target-specific, discussions of organ sites would have been helpful.

The strength of this book is its comprehensive approach to the material. Cytotechnology students and pathology residents will find a wealth of information when they explore the detail here, and experienced cytotechnologists and pathologists can use the book for quick and informative reference.

Seena C. Aisner, M.D.
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103