SPUTUM CYTOLOGY FOR MALIGNANT CELLS***

Sputum cytology examines a sample of sputum (mucus) under a microscope to determine whether abnormal cells are present. Sputum is not the same as saliva. Sputum is produced in the lungs and in the airways leading to the lungs. If bacteria are present in the sputum, the sample will then be placed in a culture and grown (a sputum culture) to determine exactly which bacteria are causing an infection.