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May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) stain is a Romanowsky-type, polychromatic stain as those of Giemsa, Leishman and Wright. Apart being the reference method of haematology, it has become a routine stain of diagnostic cytopathology for the study of air-dried preparations (lymph node imprints, centrifuged body fluids and fine needle aspirations). In the context of their actions of promoting the principles of quality assurance in cytopathology, the French Association for Quality Assurance in Anatomic and Cytologic Pathology (AFAQAP) and the French Society of Clinical Cytology (SFCC) conducted a proficiency test on MGG stain in 2013. Results from the test, together with the review of literature data allow pre-analytical and analytical steps of MGG stain to be updated. Recommendations include rapid air-drying of cell preparations/imprints, fixation using either methanol or May-Grünwald alone for 3-10minutes, two-step staining: 50% May-Grünwald in buffer pH 6.8 v/v for 3-5minutes, followed by 10% buffered Giemsa solution for 10-30minutes, and running water for 1-3minutes. Quality evaluation must be performed on red blood cells (RBCs) and leukocytes, not on tumour cells. Under correct pH conditions, RBCs must appear pink-orange (acidophilic) or buff-coloured, neither green nor blue. Leukocyte cytoplasm must be almost transparent, with clearly delineated granules. However, staining may vary somewhat and testing is recommended for automated methods (slide stainers) which remain the standard for reproducibility. Though MGG stain remains the reference stain, Diff-Quik(®) stain can be used for the rapid evaluation of cell samples., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

When considering the number of thyroid fine-needle aspirations performed not only in France but also in the world, then thyroid pathology, as well as Pap smears, represents the main pathology based on cytological diagnoses. Decisions of clinical follow-up or of surgical treatments will be done based on the cytological results. Until recently, neither official nor consensual terminology has been adopted despite classifications by experts having been proposed. The Bethesda terminology, published in 2010, in English, is linked with a percentage of risk cancer for each of its diagnostic category and with a suitable treatment. Furthermore, this terminology allows the possibility of standardized management for the patients and the opportunity of further assessment of the cytological diagnoses. Therefore, the French Society of Clinical Cytology has decided to publish this official French version of the Bethesda terminology. Its use is highly recommended., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Introduction: The prescription of some anti-cancer therapies is now based on the detection of specific genetic alterations that should be determined as early as possible not to put patients at a disadvantage. In 2009, the 'Aquitaine platform of molecular tumour genetics' (PGMC) developed a programme to evaluate and to improve the organisation of molecular cancer analyses, particularly the analysis of the KRAS gene. The objective was to describe the analysis process, the organization of pathology laboratories and the delays between the different phases of the process., Methods: We established a working group to describe the different steps between the prescription of molecular biology analyses and the analysis report. A retrospective study based on the first quarter of 2009 allowed us to measure management delays. In addition, a pathology laboratory organisational questionnaire allowed us to identify organisational features hindering rapid delivery., Results: The median delay between the analysis prescription and the results was 15 days (range: 7-78 days). Practices explaining longer delays were highlighted not only in the pathology laboratories (for example, pending of the prescription before sending the analysis, waiting for several cases before sending the material, sample slicing, sending by standard mail), but also within the PGMC (for example, sample testing by another technique or new extraction for non-contributory samples)., Conclusion: The results of this study emphasise the necessity of speeding up pre-analytical phases, and of creating an electronic procedure and regional facilities in order to provide results more rapidly to clinicians., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The T (tumor), N (node) and M (metastasis) staging system classifies tumors according to the anatomic extent. Since its first publication in 1940, the TNM classification has been periodically updated. This article reviews the main changes of the last edition and potential practical difficulties in interpretation of pN0 status, residual tumor, definition and classification of micrometastases and isolated tumoral cells, yTNM, use of X classification.

Intraoperative cytopathology is faster, less labor intensive, yields clearer cellular details and can be as accurate as frozen section in the hands of pathologists experienced in the interpretation of cytological preparations. This procedure is particularly valuable for examining small specimens, multiple samples that need to be examined rapidly, and when superior cytological details are required. Nonetheless its use seems to be relatively limited. In this article, we review the general requirements for intraoperative cytology and also detail its value, as well as its limitations and pitfalls.

Gastrointestinal adenomas are neoplasms of glandular epithelium containing dysplasia of varying degrees. They are rare in esophagus. A case of villous tumor of the esophagus in a 71-year-old man is described. Histologically, this polypoid, villous lesion was developed on Barrett's esophagus and contained dysplastic epithelium and small adenocarcinomatous foci. This case illustrates that esophagus adenoma may be a premalignant lesion like other adenomas of the gastrointestinal tract. The term of polypoid dysplasia has therefore been recommended. This lesion, usually developed in gastric heterotopy or Barrett's esophagus, is often associated with high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma.