IMP | Frequently Asked Questions
It is a procedure that involves examining cells under the microscope. These cells can originate from liquid materials such as vaginal secretions, pleural fluids, abdominal fluids, among others. Changes in these cells may be indicative of a pathological process, being important for the diagnosis of a specific lesion.
There are two methods: the cervical-vaginal smear (conventional method) and liquid-based cytology.
An anatomopathological exam is a medical procedure aimed at diagnosing diseases and tumors through the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of cells, tissues, or organs collected from patients. These samples can be collected in the form of biopsy or surgical specimen (histological exams), or in the form of fluids and secretions (cytological exams).
It is a procedure that involves examining a tissue sample from an organ under a microscope to identify changes that may indicate a pathological process. Tissue samples can be collected in the form of biopsy or surgical specimen.
Whenever there is a sufficient sample (> 1mL). In the absence of a sample, a new sample will be required to proceed with molecular biology exams.
The APTIMA® HPV-GT molecular biology test determines whether high-risk HPV subtypes are present in a given sample. In case of a positive result, this test also identifies the presence of HPV subtypes 16, 18, and 45.
The STI Panel molecular biology test aims to diagnose the presence of infectious agents. Detection of these microorganisms is achieved through DNA amplification. This test can be performed on liquid-based gynecological cytology samples or urine samples from patients (both male and female). Additionally, this molecular test can detect the presence of more than one microorganism in the same sample (coinfection).
The cost of exams carried out at IMP varies depending on the type of health insurance or patient agreement. In the case of patients without health insurance, the private exam price list is applied.
Payment of outstanding amounts can be made via ATM reference, which is sent via SMS, or alternatively at the clinic where the sample was collected.
Archive time varies depending on the type of sample. For example, some samples can be stored up to 10 days after the report is issued (such as surgical specimens), 30 days (for liquid-based gynecological cytologies), or can be permanently archived (e.g., paraffin blocks of malignant tumor samples). Exam reports are permanently stored electronically.
There are various types and sizes of biopsies and different collection methods, depending on the location and type of lesion. A biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves collecting a small (total or partial) sample of tissue or cells from a specific lesion (e.g. gastric biopsies). On the other hand, surgical specimens consist of an organ or part of an organ (simple surgical specimen) or include more than one organ and tissue removed together in a surgical procedure (complex surgical specimen; e.g.: uterus and adnexal organs).
Gynecological cytology (or cervico-vaginal), also known as Pap smear, is a simple exam that involves collecting cells from the mucosa of the cervix. It aims to detect atypical cells from a pre-tumoral or tumoral lesion and can also detect non-tumoral conditions such as infections.
Cervical cells are collected by your doctor using an appropriate brush, which gently scrapes the cells from the cervix. The sample can then be sent to the laboratory in two different forms, depending on the chosen diagnostic method: 1) Smear: The collected cells are spread on a glass slide, fixed, and after specific staining (Papanicolaou stain), they are observed under a microscope. However, the distribution of cells on the glass slide is not always uniform, with overlapping cells or cell groups, making observation and microscopic evaluation challenging, sometimes requiring a new collection; Liquid-based cytology: The cells are placed in a vial containing a fixative solution. After preparing the sample, the cells are arranged in a single uniform layer on a glass slide for subsequent staining. This procedure allows for better visualization of cervical cells and the possibility of repeating the exam or performing complementary exams without subjecting the woman to a new collection. It is a more sensitive and specific diagnostic method than the conventional method. However, there are various liquid-based cytology methods: IMP Diagnostics uses the ThinPrep® PAP Test method, which uses a filter to arrange cells in a monolayer. Bibliography – Lambert PF et al. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 1993; 90(12):5583-5587 – Walboomers et al. J Pathol 1999; 189:12-19 – De Sanjose et al. Lancet 2010; 11:1048-1056 – Saslow wt al. Am J Clin Pathol 2012; 137:516-542 – Guan et al. Int J Cancer 2012; 131:2349-2359 – Castle et al. Lancet Oncol 2011; 12(9):880-890 – Doorbar Clinical Science 2006; 110(5):525-541 – Tinelli A et al. Curr Phar Biot 2009; 10(8) 767-771 – Cuschieri K et al. J Med Virol 2004; 73(1):65-70
IMP Diagnostics performs cytological exams, histological exams, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry exams, extemporaneous exams (peroperative), and molecular biology exams.
The complementary molecular biology exams available at IMP Diagnostics accurately identify the type of virus present in a given sample (HPV genotyping – PapilloCheck® HPV, APTIMA® HPV-GT, HSV1/2), the bacterial species present in a sample (STI Panel – 7 pathogenic agents) and gene expression changes and mutations in a patient’s sample (K-Ras and B-Raf mutations, Microsatellite Instability research, among others).
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus capable of infecting tissues such as the skin and mucous membranes. More than 120 different subtypes of this virus have been identified, and while most of them do not cause any symptoms, some can cause warts and benign lesions, while others can lead to the development of malignant lesions in the cervix, vagina, among other organs. Approximately 40 HPV subtypes infect the cells of the genital organs, and their transmission occurs through sexual contact. Of these, approximately 15 subtypes are classified as high-risk HPV due to their greater ability to induce the development of genital tumors in cases of persistent infection. Given that most HPV infections are asymptomatic, gynecological cytology is the first method used to detect HPV infection, as this exam identifies cellular changes caused by the virus’s presence. Therefore, when HPV is detected, it is important to confirm and identify the virus subtype using complementary molecular diagnostic techniques.
High-risk HPV viruses are associated with the majority of cervical neoplasias. While the majority of sexually active women have been exposed to the virus, only a small percentage of infected women develop this pathology. Therefore, the APTIMA® HPV-GT test should be performed in women aged 25 years or older with a cytological diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US in the Bethesda classification).
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate cells. The PSA test measures the levels of this protein in the blood and is performed when patients present certain symptoms consistent with prostate cancer, as this condition increases the amount of this protein in the blood. However, elevated PSA levels in the blood can also indicate benign conditions such as prostate inflammation (prostatitis) and benign prostatic hyperplasia or may be related to the patients’ advanced age. After the PSA test reveals elevated levels of this protein, your doctor may request additional tests to aid in the diagnosis, such as a biopsy
IMP Diagnostics receives different types of samples with distinct packaging requirements. However, as a general rule, all samples must be sent to our laboratories in an appropriate medium (fixative), correctly identified with the patient’s name, date of birth, address, taxpayer identification number (NIF), and contact phone/email, along with the exam request and relevant clinical information.
IMP Diagnostics has agreements and conventions with health insurances, companies, associations, and other entities, including ADSE, AdvanceCare, Allianz, MediCare, Médis, Portuguese Ministry of Health, MultiCare, PSP, Altice Health Care, RAR Saúde, Saúde Prime, Servimed, Union of Educators and Teachers Licensed by Higher Education Schools and Universities (SEPLEU), Independent Banking Union (SIB), Independent Commerce and Services Union (SICOS), SAMS Norte, SAMS Quadros, SSCGD, ACP, Saúde Particular, among others. You can consult all Agreements and Conventions here.
One of IMP Diagnostics’ main focuses is response time. Urgent exams receive a response within 48 hours. Histological and cytological exam results take an average of five business days, and molecular biology exam results take between 12 to 25 business days, depending on the type of exam requested.
IMP Diagnostics provides free collection supplies to all client entities. To request supplies, simply fill out the “Supplies Request” form.
We provide payment terminals (POS) to client entities as well as an SMS Payment System for a straightforward exam payment and billing process.
IMP Diagnostics ensures the entire logistic process through a courier service, covering the entire national and and international territory in which it operates, with no associated costs.
Through access to the Online Medical Portal, once the results are validated by our team of pathologists, the report becomes immediately available in the restricted area of the prescribing doctor. Fast, secure, and convenient.