Juggling the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cytopathology point of view

Abstract

Since its first identification in China at the end of 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread all over the world, becoming an international healthcare emergency. In the era of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19), several aspects of normal life, including those related to the medical activities, have been radically changed. Extraordinary measures have been adopted by different nations to cope with the rapid diffusion of COVID‐19 all over the world. In hospitals, careful attention has been paid to manage infected patients with a possible detrimental effect for patients affected by other diseases. As with other medical fields, cytopathology laboratories have also drastically modified their activities to cope with the COVID‐19 healthcare emergency. Here, the main effects of COVID‐19 pandemic on the routine practice of cytopathology are summarised, focusing on the prioritisation policy adopted by cytopathologists worldwide.

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cytopathology practice

“…Due to restrictions on cytopathology practice, many places adopted strategies to prioritise patients with higher risk of malignancy. These were reflected in the results presented in the two articles, 5,6 as well as in others, 7 showing an increased proportion of malignant diagnoses both in gynaecological and non‐gynaecological cytology. Also interesting is the increase in suspicious and atypical categories reported by Virk 5 .…”

“…In this issue of Cytopathology, two papers review how the COVID‐19 outbreak has impacted cytopathology laboratories in terms of biosafety, and diagnostic and educational activities 5,6 . The experience reported by colleagues from an academic centre in the United States 5 are similar to those reported by colleagues across the world 6,7 . They showed an overall reduction in the volume of cytology specimens, especially gynaecological samples.…”

“…These measures have had a huge impact on all aspects of life, including professional activities in medical practice. In this issue of Cytopathology, two papers review how the COVID‐19 outbreak has impacted cytopathology laboratories in terms of biosafety, and diagnostic and educational activities 5,6 . The experience reported by colleagues from an academic centre in the United States 5 are similar to those reported by colleagues across the world 6,7 .…”

“…They showed an overall reduction in the volume of cytology specimens, especially gynaecological samples. This could be attributed to the significant decrease or suspension of screening programmes in many countries during the peak of the pandemic and/or the reluctance of people to participate 6‐8 . However, a decrease was also seen in non‐gynaecological cytology samples, especially in those where material is obtained by interventional/invasive procedures such as fine needle aspiration and bronchial washings/brushings 5 .…”

“…However, virtual platforms have enjoyed a boost during the pandemic, not only for diagnosis but also for educational purposes, allowing residents’ training to continue 5 . The paper by Iaccarino et al 6 also addresses the effect of COVID‐19 on molecular cytopathology activity. As previously described, the experience in several countries across Europe 11‐13 was that predictive molecular pathology testing, especially related to lung cancer, did not show a significant reduction during lockdown.…”