Pathology: What Is It?
Pathology is the branch of medical science that focuses on the study of diseased tissues and organs. It primarily involves the examination and reporting of structural and functional abnormalities in cells, tissues, and organs associated with diseases. The term \"pathology,\" derived from the Greek words \"pathos\" (meaning suffering or disease) and \"logos\" (meaning study), refers to the scientific study of disease.
Types of Pathology
Traditionally, pathology is divided into two main branches:
General Pathology: This field deals with diseases that affect various tissues and organs or cause widespread symptoms throughout the body. Examples include inflammation, tumors, and cancer, along with their causes and how they spread throughout the organism.
Specialized Pathology (Systemic Pathology): This branch focuses on diseases affecting specific organs, anatomical regions, or systems. Specialized pathology includes subspecialties such as dermatopathology, gynecopathology, neuropathology, ophthalmic pathology, pulmonary pathology, and hepatopathology.
What Does a Pathologist Do?
A pathologist examines tissue and organ samples, typically obtained through biopsy or surgery, using various techniques to diagnose diseases. The most common method used is microscopic examination, where the pathologist spends a significant portion of their time analyzing samples under a microscope and preparing detailed reports. Pathologists also utilize modern technological tools, including genetic and molecular biology techniques, to aid in diagnosis.
Pathology Tests
Pathology tests are typically used to diagnose cancer and determine its stage. However, samples from any tissue in the body can be analyzed to diagnose a variety of diseases.
What Is a Pathology Report and How Long Does It Take?
A pathology report documents the diagnosis made by the pathologist based on their examination of tissue samples. The report will describe the disease\'s stage and may suggest further tests or additional samples if a diagnosis cannot be made initially. The time required to prepare a pathology report varies depending on the type of sample and the disease in question. Typically, reports are generated within 5-7 days after the laboratory receives the biopsy sample.
What Is a Biopsy?
The word \"biopsy\" originates from the Greek terms \"bio\" (life) and \"opsy\" (viewing), meaning the examination of living tissue. A biopsy involves taking a sample of cells or tissue from a suspicious area for microscopic examination. Various chemical analyses may also be conducted on the sample. Biopsies can be performed on tissues from any organ in the body. Some biopsies require surgery, while others can be done with local anesthesia or even without it.
Biopsies are categorized based on the method of collection and the type of tissue sampled:
Excisional Biopsy: The entire suspicious tissue or lesion is removed for examination.
Incisional Biopsy: Only a portion of the suspicious tissue is removed for analysis, commonly used in soft tissue tumors to distinguish between benign and malignant growths.
Endoscopic Biopsy: Performed using a fiber-optic endoscope, this is one of the most commonly used biopsy techniques.
Needle Biopsy: A thin needle is used to extract tissue samples, often used for organs like the liver, kidney, and bone marrow.
Curettage: A method used to collect tissue samples, particularly from the endometrium or cervix, or in some bone lesions, using a sharp-edged instrument.
Punch Biopsy: Typically used by dermatologists to obtain skin samples from areas with pigment changes or small masses.
Transurethral Resection (TUR): A procedure in which a device is inserted through the urethra to remove tissue, commonly used in prostate surgeries.
Resection: The partial or complete removal of an organ or tissue structure.
Cytological Samples
Cytology involves the examination of cells collected from various organs and tissues, such as the bronchial mucosa, cervix, kidneys, etc. Samples are prepared using a spreading technique and examined under a microscope. Additionally, body fluids can also be analyzed in this manner. Cytological samples can be sent from clinics to pathology labs, either as slides for microscopic examination or in liquid form for further analysis.
Examples of cytological materials include:
Smears: Breast discharge, brushing or scraping samples
Body fluids: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, urine, gastric fluid, etc.
Intraoperative Consultation (Frozen Section)
Intraoperative consultation, also known as frozen section analysis, plays a critical role in some surgeries by providing immediate pathological feedback that directly influences the course of the surgical procedure, allowing the patient to undergo the surgery with minimal disruption. It is the fastest method of pathological evaluation available.
