Melina Flanagan, MD

Cytopathologist

Dr. Melina Flanagan is a Cytopathologist in Philadelphia, PA with special training and skill in diagnosing diseases by looking at single cells and small clusters of cells in tissue samples. As a Cytopathologist, Melina Flanagan, MD performs microscopic examination and diagnosis of cells. Cytopathology is the detection of abnormal cells to diagnose disease. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Cytopathologists include cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Cytopathologists include scraping, sponging, fine needle aspiration, and pap smear.

A cytopathologist is an anatomic pathologist trained in the diagnosis of human disease by means of the study of cells obtained from body secretions and fluids, by scraping, washing, or sponging the surface of a lesion, or by the aspiration of a tumor mass or body organ with a fine needle. A major aspect of a cytopathologist's practice is the interpretation of Papanicolaou-stained smears of cells from the female reproductive systems, the "Pap" test. However, the cytopathologist's expertise is applied to the diagnosis of cells from all systems and areas of the body. He/she is a consultant to all medical specialists.