Urinary cytology is a test that analyzes the cells present in the urine to detect any abnormalities in the urothelium, the tissue that lines the bladder and urinary tract. However, receiving the report can be confusing, as it contains technical terms that are not always easy to interpret. Below is an explanation of the most common terms.

This notation simply indicates that the collected sample is of sufficient quality to be analyzed by the laboratory. If, on the other hand, the report states that the sample is inadequate or non-diagnostic, it may be necessary to repeat the test.

A negative result for neoplastic cells is one of the most reassuring findings. It means that no cells suspicious for urothelial cancer—particularly high-grade forms— were observed in the sample. It is important to remember that no test is infallible: the result must always be interpreted in conjunction with the symptoms and any other tests that may have been performed.

Urothelial cells are normal cells that line the urinary tract. Their presence in the urine is normal and, on its own, is not a sign of disease. The laboratory primarily evaluates their microscopic appearance to identify any abnormalities.

The term “atypical” indicates that some cells exhibit unusual characteristics due to:

• Inflammation
• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones
• Previous urological surgeries or treatments
• More rarely, a neoplasm

For this reason, your doctor may decide to order further tests.

This statement indicates that the pathologist has observed cells that are highly suspicious for a high-grade urothelial neoplasm. It does not constitute a definitive diagnosis, but typically requires further diagnostic testing as recommended by the specialist, such as cystoscopy with a biopsy if necessary.

Leukocytes, erythrocytes, or other inflammatory cells may also appear in the test results. These findings are often associated with urinary tract infections, inflammation, or irritation of the urinary tract and must be interpreted in conjunction with other tests, such as a urine culture and urinalysis.

Urinary cytology is a very useful tool, especially for detecting high-grade urothelial carcinomas, although it is less sensitive in identifying low-grade lesions. For this reason, the report should never be interpreted in isolation, but rather in conjunction with the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and any imaging studies.

Reading a cytology report may seem complicated, but many of the terms used simply describe the appearance of the cells observed under a microscope. The presence of atypical cells or other abnormalities does not necessarily mean a cancer diagnosis: your doctor will determine whether further testing is needed.