Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic pathology is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic and molecular examination of organs and tissues. An important subspecialty is surgical pathology. Surgical pathology involves the gross and microscopic examination of surgical specimens, as well as biopsies submitted by non-surgeons such as general internists, and medical subspecialists. Anatomic Pathologists examine the tissue removed to determine benign or malignant, or types of inflammation/infection.

Clinical Pathology

Clinical pathologists work in close collaboration with medical technologists, hospital administrators, and referring physicians to ensure the accuracy and optimal utilization of laboratory testing. Clinical pathology encompasses clinical chemistry, clinical hematology, coagulation studies, blood banking, and clinical microbiology . Under the CLIA law, a Board Certified pathologist can perform the duties of a Medical or Clinical Laboratory Director.

Cytopathology

Cytopathology is the study of disease on a cellular level. A common application of cytopathology is the Pap smear used as a screening tool to detect precancerous cervical lesions and prevent cervical cancer Cytopathology is also commonly used to investigate thyroid lesions, salivary gland lesions, lung lesions, or other diseases involving sterile body cavities. Cytopathology is generally used on samples of free cells or tissue fragments in contrast to histopathology which studies whole tissues. Cytopathologists often use a method known as “Fine Needle Aspiration” in which a small needle is inserted into a lesion either by palpation or with radiographic guidance, and a small sample is removed for microscopic evaluation.

Hematopathology

Hematopathology is a subspecialty of pathology involving diseases of hematopoietic cells which originate from the bone marrow and contribute the cellular components of blood including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Hematopathologists most frequently evaluate peripheral blood smears, bone marrow biopsies, and lymph node biopsies to evaluate for diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. The hematopathologist incorporates traditional microscopy with ancillary techniques including general laboratory values, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular diagnostic tests to make the most accurate diagnosis.

Dermatopathology

Dermatopathology is a subspecialty that focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at a microscopic level. Dermatopathologists work in close association with dermatologists to allow a conclusive diagnosis to be made when a skin biopsy is taken to be examined under the microscope. Some cases may require additional expertise from a dermatopathologist including evaluation of immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and molecular studies.