Technical Considerations

Abstract

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) can be performed on most cytology samples, including fi ne needle aspirations (FNA), serosal fl uids, Pap smears, and wash and brush specimens (2–4). If the cell sample is adequate, one should prepare cell blocks, as these represent the ideal specimens for ICC. All too often, however, the cell sample is limited to few smears or cytocentrifuge preparations. In fact, the need to perform ICC usually arises only after reviewing the fi xed and Papanicolaou-stained slides. In such cases, the coverslip is removed and the ICC can simply be performed on the previously stained slide without the need for destaining.