Table Of ContentBancroft’s Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques
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Bancroft’s
THEORY and
PRACTICE
of HISTOLOGICAL
TECHNIQUES
SEVENTH
EDITION
S. Kim Suvarna
Consultant Pathologist
Histopathology Department,
Northern General Hospital
Sheffield, UK
Christopher Layton
Specialist Section Lead in Specimen Dissection
Histopathology Department,
Northern General Hospital
Sheffield, UK
John D. Bancroft
Formerly Pathology Directorate Manager and Business Manager,
Queen’s Medical Centre,
Nottingham, UK
is an imprint of Elsevier Limited
© 2013, Elsevier Limited. All rights reserved.
First edition 1977
Second edition 1982
Third edition 1990
Fourth edition 1996
Fifth edition 2002
Sixth edition 2008
The right of Dr. S. Kim Suvarna, Dr. Christopher Layton and Mr. John D. Bancroft to be identified as
author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988.
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Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience
broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment
may become necessary.
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Churchill Livingstone
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Bancroft’s theory and practice of histological techniques.
– 7th ed.
1. Histology, Pathological – Technique.
I. Theory and practice of histological techniques
II. Suvarna, Kim. III. Layton, Christopher. IV. Bancroft,
John D.
616′.07583 – dc23
ISBN-13: 9780702042263
ISBN: 978-0-7020-4226-3
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-7020-5032-9
Printed in China
Last digit is the print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Foreword
You are familiar with earlier editions of Theory and Livingstone Elsevier, the publishers, wish to cele-
Practice of Histological Techniques. So, you may be brate John’s part in the success of this world-
wondering ‘What’s all this about? Why the name renowned text from its origins to this new edition,
change?’ As the only author contributing to this new both as editor and contributor. Moreover, the succes-
edition who also contributed to the first edition, and sive editions of this remarkable book were, for much
as someone originally recruited by the eponymous of the time, produced in parallel with and enriched
John Bancroft and his then co-editor Alan Stevens, by John’s contributions to research and teaching in
it falls to me to offer an explanation. It is simple our field, and of course whilst managing a histopa-
enough. John has now pulled back into a more thology department in a large teaching hospital. So
hands-off editorial role. Yet his energy and persis- let us salute Bancroft’s Theory and Practice of Histo-
tence over many years are the key to this publishing logical Techniques!
epic – seven editions of a technical manual, continu- Richard Horobin
ously in print for 35 years, wow! So Churchill 2012
Preface to the seventh edition
In the 35 years since the first edition of this book, the amalgamated, such as the in situ hybridization and
histological laboratory has changed dramatically. genetic testing sections.
Whilst some techniques of tissue selection, fixation There are a number of new contributors for this
and section production have remained relatively edition. They include Louise Dunk, who contributed
static, there have been great advances in terms of the management chapter and Anthony Rhodes, who
immunological and molecular diagnostic methodol- updated fixation of tissues. The gross room/surgical
ogy. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluores- cut-up chapter has been rewritten by Kim Suvarna
cence now have well-defined roles with quality and Christopher Layton. The pigment and minerals
assurance realities, and are to be found throughout chapter has been revamped by Guy Orchard and the
the world with pivotal interactions with tissue diag- amyloid chapter by Janet Gilbertson and Tony Hunt.
nosis and patient management. In the last 20 years, Neuropathology has been rewritten by Robin Highly
the progressive development of molecular tech- and Nicky Sullivan. Some immunohistochemistry
niques revolving around DNA and in situ hybridiza- and immunofluorescent techniques have required a
tion has permitted the creation of new genetic tests rewrite reflecting current modalities, and this has
and diagnostic opportunities for the laboratory. been accomplished by Tracy Sanderson, Greg Zardin
These are currently at the forefront of guiding treat- and Graeme Wild.
ment choices for patients. At the same time, these Having said this, we are conscious that we are all
have permitted review of some classic histological part of the lineage of previous authors that have
tests resulting in a reduced histochemical repertoire contributed to the first six editions of the book. We
in many laboratories. Knowledge of both the old salute and thank them for their previous work.
and new is required by trained, as well as trainee, Indeed, their contribution to the success of this
histotechnologists working alongside the patholo- ongoing text cannot be underestimated. We would
gist. A thorough grounding in all these aspects of not wish to single out any one person, or group of
diagnostic methodology is still required. individuals, but rather express great thanks to all the
In producing this edition we were faced with previous contributors over the decades that this
choices about classical and rarely used methodolo- book has been in existence.
gies, and concluded that many needed to be removed Ultimately, we hope that we have produced a
from the text or reduced in volume into the appen- modern and relevant histotechnology text that will
dices. These include the chapters on lipids, proteins be of use to those in training as well as established
and nucleic acids, neuroendocrine system and practitioners across the world. As always, we recog-
cytoplasmic granules and enzyme histochemistry. nize that this edition is but one step of the ongoing
This has allowed for expansion and update in some story and hope that colleagues across the world will
areas, particularly the newer diagnostic methodolo- enjoy and approve of the changes that have taken
gies. We recognized that some sections on classic place.
stains have not changed dramatically, and have S. Kim Suvarna, Christopher Layton
simply reviewed these to ensure that modern rele- and John D. Bancroft
vance has been achieved. Other chapters have been February 2012
Preface to the first edition
In recent years histological techniques have become Although the content is particularly suitable for stu-
increasingly sophisticated, incorporating a whole dents working towards the Special Examination in
variety of specialties, and there has been a corre- Histopathology of the Institute of Medical Labora-
sponding dramatic rise in the level and breadth of tory Sciences, the level is such that more advanced
knowledge demanded by the examiner of trainees students, along with research workers, histologists,
in histology and histopathology technology. and pathologists, will find the book beneficial. To
We believe that the time has arrived when no achieve this we have gathered a team of expert
single author can produce a comprehensive book on contributors, many of whom have written special-
histology technique sufficiently authoritative in the ized books or articles on their own subject; most
many differing fields of knowledge with which the are intimately involved in the teaching of histology
technologist must be familiar. Many books exist and some are examiners in the HNC and Special
which are solely devoted to one particular facet such Examination in Histopathology. The medically qual-
as electron microscopy or autoradiography, and the ified contributors are also involved in technician
dedicated technologist will, of course, read these in education.
the process of self-education. Nevertheless the need All contributors have taken care to give, where
has arisen for a book which covers the entire spec- applicable, the theoretical basis of the techniques,
trum of histology technology, from the principles of for we believe that the standard of their education
tissue fixation and the production of paraffin sec- has risen so remarkably in recent years that the time
tions to the more esoteric level of the principles of is surely coming when medical laboratory techni-
scanning electron microscopy. It has been our aim cians will be renamed ‘medical laboratory scien-
then, to produce a book which the trainee technolo- tists’; we hope that the increase in ‘scientific’ content
gist can purchase at the beginning of his career and in parts of this book will assist in this essential
which will remain valuable to him as he rises on the transformation.
ladder of experience and seniority. John D. Bancroft
The book has been designed as a comprehensive Alan Stevens
reference work for those preparing for examinations Nottingham, 1977
in histopathology, both in Britain and elsewhere.
List of contributors
Caroline Astbury PhD FACMG Neil M. Hand MPhil C.Sci Wanda Grace Jones
Department of Pathology and FIBMS Ht(ASCP)
Laboratory Medicine Operational Manager Immunohistochemistry Specialist
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Immunocytochemistry Department of Pathology
Columbus, OH, USA Histopathology Department Emory University Hospital
Nottingham University Hospitals Atlanta, GA, USA
John D. Bancroft NHS Trust
Formerly Pathology Directorate Nottingham, UK Laura J. Keeling
Manager and Business Manager Histopathology Department
Queen’s Medical Centre J. Robin Highley DPhil Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Nottingham, UK FRCPath Sheffield, UK
Clinical Fellow in
Jeanine H. Bartlett BS HT Neuropathology Christopher Layton PhD
(ASCP), QIHC Sheffield Institute for Specialist Section Lead in
Biologist Translational Neuroscience Specimen Dissection
Centers for Disease Control and Department of Neuroscience Histopathology Department
Prevention Sheffield University Medical Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Infectious Diseases Pathology School Sheffield, UK
Branch
Division of High-Consequence Richard W. Horobin BSc PhD Danielle Maddocks BSc
Pathogens and Pathology School of Life Sciences (Hons)
National Center for Emerging College of Medical, Veterinary Histopathology Department
and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases and Life Sciences Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Atlanta, GA, USA University of Glasgow Sheffield, UK
Glasgow, UK
David Blythe FIBMS Ann Michelle Moon MSc
Chief Biomedical Scientist Toby Hunt MSc BSc FIBMS MIBMS
HMDS Laboratory Laboratory and Mortuary Histopathology Department
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Manager Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Trust Department of Histopathology Sheffield, UK
Leeds, UK Great Ormond Street Hospital
Guy E. Orchard PhD C.Sci
Louise Dunk MSc FIBMS Stuart Inglut BSc (Hons) MSc FIBMS
Lead Laboratory Manager Histopathology Department Laboratory Manager
Histopathology Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Histopathology Department
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Sheffield, UK St. John’s Institute of
Sheffield, UK Dermatology
Peter Jackson MPhil CSi St. Thomas’ Hospital
Alton D. Floyd PhD FIBMS London, UK
ImagePath Systems Inc. Formerly Department of
Edwardsburg, MI, USA Histopathology and Molecular Sherin Jos Payyappilly
Pathology FRCPath
Janet A. Gilbertson CSci Leeds Teaching Hospitals Department of Histopathology
FIBMS NHS Trust Leeds Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
National Amyloidosis Centre Leeds, UK Birmingham, UK
Royal Free and University
College Medical School
London, UK
xi v List of contributors
Anthony Rhodes BSc MSc Diane L. Sterchi MS S. Kim Suvarna MBBS BSc
PhD CSi FIBMS HTL(ASCP) FRCP FRCPath
Professor Senior Research Associate Consultant Pathologist
Centre for Research in Histomorphometry Lead Histopathology Department
Biosciences Department of Pathology Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Faculty of Health and Life Covance Laboratories Inc. Sheffield, UK
Sciences Greenfield, IN, USA
University of the West of Graeme Wild
England John W. Stirling BSc (Hons), Immunology Department
Bristol, UK MLett, AFRCPA, MAIMS, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
FRMS Sheffield, UK
Head of Unit
Paul Samuel BSc DMLT
The Centre for Ultrastructural Anthony E. Woods BA BSc
MIBMS
Pathology (Hons) PhD MAIMS
Histopathology Department
Surgical Pathology – SA FFSc(RCPA)
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Pathology School of Pharmacy and Medical
Sheffield, UK
Adelaide, Australia Sciences
University of South Australia
Tracy Sanderson FIBMS
Jennifer H. Stonard BSc Adelaide, Australia
Immunohistology Lead
(Hons), LIBMS
Histopathology Department
Histopathology Department Gregory Zardin BSc (Hons)
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals MSc MIBMS
Sheffield, UK
Sheffield, UK Histopathology Department
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Lena T. Spencer MA Nicky Sullivan CSci FIBMS Sheffield, UK
HTL(ASCP)QIHC Department of Neuropathology
Senior Histotechnologist and Ocular Pathology
Norton Healthcare John Radcliffe Hospital
Louisville, KY, USA Oxford, UK
