Overview

Cytotechnologists are laboratory professionals who study cells and cellular anomalies. Using a microscope, they examine slides of human cells for any indication that a cell is abnormal and/or diseased (i.e., cancerous or precancerous lesions, infectious agents, or inflammatory processes). Cytotechnologists often play a crucial role in helping patients to recover from illness, by identifying a disease while it is still at a treatable stage.

Cell specimens may be obtained from various body sites, such as the female reproductive tract, the lung, etc. Using special techniques, slides are first prepared from these specimens. Cytotechnologists then examine the slides microscopically, mark cellular changes that indicate disease, and submit a report to the pathologist for final evaluation.

Using the findings of cytotechnologists, the pathologist then is able to diagnose and treat disease -- in many cases, long before it could be detected otherwise. For instance, in recent years, fine needles are being used to aspirate lesions, even those that are deeply seated in the body. This has greatly enhanced the ability to find and diagnose tumors located in previously inaccessible sites.

Employment opportunities and salaries vary in this field, depending on geographic location, experience and ability, but the demand for experienced cytotechnologists is growing and will continue to grow over the next two decades. Typically cytotechnologists earn a salary of $54,870 to $66,766 per year.

As new screening and identification techniques for cancer are developed, cytotechnologists will continue to play an invaluable role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

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Cytotechnologist

Working Conditions

Most cytotechnologists work in hospitals or commercial laboratories. With experience, they also may work in private industry or in supervisory, research, and teaching positions. Cytotechnologists may work independently (when evaluating and reporting on normal cells) or in close collaboration with a pathologist (when examining cells for indications of disease).