What is Cytology?

Anne Barger, DVM, MS, DACVP, clinical professor in pathobiology at University of Illinois, explains what cytology is and when veterinarians might use it.

"Cytology is just the study of cells essentially. And we use it as a diagnostic tool. So, if a patient has a mass or an enlarged lymph node, cytology is allowing a veterinarian to—in a very non-invasive way—put a needle in the tissue, aspirate some cells, and try to make a diagnosis without having to sedate the pet, or cause pain.”