Community Congresses

The Department of Cytopathology Tata Memorial Hospital was established in 1951, by late Dr. D. J.

Jussawala, former Director of Tata Memorial Centre and Founder Honorary Secretary of Indian Cancer

Society. The laboratory was started as a collaborative effort of the Indian Cancer Society and the Medical Division of the Department of Atomic Energy. The Department of Cytopathology became part of Tata Memorial Centre in May 1972 and merged with the Department of Pathology in February 1978.

The Department of Cytopathology has been accredited by the Indian Academy of Cytologists for diagnostic services since 1980 and later as a training and examination centre since 1984.

Professional competency of Cytopathologists and Cytotechnologists is vital for offering accurate diagnosis. Competency can be assessed by regular and periodic proficiency tests. Participation in External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) is one of the pre-requisites for accreditation and quality control. 

The Department of Cytopathology, initiated EQAS Cytopathology service in 2007 with only a few participants, has grown extensively and at present, more than 400 laboratories (480 participants) from all over India are registered for this programme. The programme covers the diagnostic aspects in cytopathology and consists two cycles per year.

Only registered participant is allowed to evaluate the slides. In the absence of registered participant no other person will be allowed to evaluate the slides.

At the time of slide evaluation, separate evaluation forms should be sent by each signatory if more than one signatory is registered. The feedback for each evaluation form will be provided separately.

EQAS Diagnostic Cytopathology is an annual program which starts by 1st January and ends by 31st December every year. The program consists of circulating a set of actual cytology slides (gynaec, nongynaec and FNAC) among the participants. The pertinent clinical data and format of evaluation is sent to the registered email ID of the participant. After the evaluation, the slide box is to be couriered from one participant to another as per the schedule intimated to the participants.                                                                                                                                                                                              

At the time of evaluation, participants should NOT label the slides or should NOT put any mark on the slide.

Since the same slide box is circulated to all the participants, it is absolutely necessary that the slides should be evaluated within 2 working days of receipt of the same, so as to maintain the continuity of the cycle among all participants within 1 year. The slide box has to be transported carefully without any breakage. In case any participant receives glass slide in broken condition, kindly inform the program  co-ordinator immediately at (cytology@tmc.gov.in) and also the previous participant, so that the reason for the breakage can be found out.

The list of participants will be formed as per the geographical distribution of the labs to facilitate fast transport. The reception of slide box and generating feedback reports will be completed within the same year. The time of receiving the slide box may depend on the number of participants in the year. Each participant will be intimated the list of participants and tentative schedule of their turn.

Kindly note that the duly filled evaluation forms should be submitted to us by email

(cytology@tmc.gov.in) within a period of 2 days of receiving the slide box. 

During the cycle, (Jan-Dec 2024) if there is any change in the Email id, Mobile No., Name and address of the participating lab and the signatory, please inform us well in advance to ensure the smooth transport of the slide box from one participant to another.

EQAS Cytopathology also provides opportunity for re-screening the slides as a corrective measures for participants having average or below average scores. However, the requirement needs to be preconfirmed as per the convenience of participant and TMH.

Kindly mark your envelopes / email with "EQAS Diagnostic Cytopathology" while sending any EQAS correspondence to TMH.

The feedback will be sent to the participant after the evaluation forms are received by us.

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