Ιστορικοί σταθμοί και στάδια εξέλιξης της κυτταρολογίας

Abstract

No science can advance unless based on the sound of knowledge of its previous achievements and historical developmental data, its history. Several times, achievements of the past, under the light of the contemporary era developments, answer and solve scientific and diagnostic dilemmas. This is why we have to be aware of the science that we serve historical background, and more in order to acknowledge the contribution of our ancestors in this science. Cytology-studying cells in both normal and disease- is a science developed predominantly over the previous two centuries. The clinical cytology was found on the basis of the cytology-scientific branch of biology.For several decades, the observations of scientists regarding the structure and function of cells were analyzed and correlated with pathological situations, especially cancer. Special techniques for recovering and staining cells were developed during 19th and the early 20th century.After having studied the sources, historical publications and articles as well as monographs in the field of cytology, we concluded that one can consider the developmental process of cytology as a series of five- inseparable, though-steps/periods: the period of the cytology-basic science, the preparative -transitional period to clinical cytology, the period of foundation of clinical cytology by George Papanicolaou, the post- Papanicolaou period of clinical cytology , and the contemporary (from decade 1970 and on) period leading to future.Additionally, we tried to shed light to the work of prominent researchers activated in the field of cytology, and solve problems regarding disputes in relation to the extent of their contribution in innovative methods conception and materialization. Of special care was the life and the scientific work of the cornerstone of Cytology, George Papanicolaou. The relationships of cytology to surgical pathology, at different eras of their parallel evolution, were investigated, as well. The interface between these two closely interrelated medical specialties-the fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA)-and events in the evolution of gynaecologic cytology-the forerunner of the diagnostic cytology were examined historically in detail.In general, we tracked Cytology, as a science and medical specialty, from the ancient time relative implications to modem, lattermost era and the latter-day-day technology aided, cytology. This extended study was undertaken in the hope of building the future on sound knowledge of the past.