APPLICATION OF THE “PLASMA-THROMBOPLASTIN/THROMBIN” METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF CYTOLOGICAL SAMPLES FOR CANCER RESEARCH IN PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY LABORATORIES

Abstract

Objective: To perform a literature review on the application of the “plasma-thromboplastin/thrombin” method for cell block preparation of cytological samples in cancer research in pathological anatomy laboratories. Material and Methods: Bibliographical searches were carried out in the databases PubMed, SciELO and LILACS using the descriptors “cell block effusion”, “cell block preparation” and “cell block method”. Results: The “plasma-thromboplastin/thrombin” method has been described for preparation of different types of cytological samples, including effusions (liquids from the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities), peritoneal lavage, aspirated samples, and samples in liquid medium. The description of the technique was not reported in some studies or was performed just partially. Variations in the studies were found with regard to centrifugation time and speed, as well as to quantity of plasma, thrombin and thromboplastin used. Only a few studies have compared the “plasma-thromboplastin/thrombin method” with other cell block preparation methods using different types of samples. The studies have frequently included a small sample size, which makes it difficult to establish a solid conclusion on the advantages of this method over other approaches. The most commonly used methods for cell block preparation include those using agar and thromboplastin/thrombin. The advantages of the “plasma/thromboplastin” method in relation to other methods are easiness to implement, low cost, no cell artifacts related to heating, better cellularity, better cellular distribution and better immunocytochemistryv results. Conclusion: Cell block preparation using the plasmathromboplastin/thrombin method can be considered a diagnostic tool adjunctive to the cytocentrifuged one that is applicable to the routine of public and private pathological anatomy laboratories for cancer research. DESCRIPTORS: Immunocytochemistry. Cytology. “Cell Block”. “Plasma-Thromboplastin” Method.