The use of the papanicolaou stain to routine histological examination: teaching the basic microscopy of squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The understanding of microscopy classes is imperative to the student in human pathology. Objective: To prepare the student to observe and understand, through tinctorial recognition, the main histologic features of Papanicolaou-stained well-differentiated carcinomas. Methods: A selected case of a well-differentiated carcinoma of the tongue was used for a Papanicolaou stain. Results: The Papanicolaou-stained slides showed, basically, basal cells in a faint to a dark blue color. The stratum spinosum stained light pink to a faint blue-green and the keratin layer and the keratin pearls stained bright orange. The connective tissue stained light green. Conclusion: The use of Papanicolaou stain was found very convenient as the beginner in histopathology can perform a ready identification of the well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma aspects.