[Some aspects of cytological diagnostics]

In many countries both histological and cytological examinations are performed by pathologists. In Russia and some countries of the former Soviet Union, pathological anatomists usually do not examine cytological specimens. Cytology belong to another specialty: laboratory medicine. Some cytological smears can contain tissue fragments, evaluation of which requires application of histopathological criteria. Comparisons of cytological and histological specimens are of great significance because of the relatively high percentage of inconclusive reports in cytology, when only a suspicion can be expressed. In conclusion, it is proposed to unify the practical specialties "cytology" and "pathological anatomy" in Russia under the designation "pathoology".