Histopathology
Histopathological examination of tissues starts with surgery, biopsy, or autopsy. The tissue is removed from the body or plant, and then...often following expert dissection in the fresh state...placed in a fixative which stabilizes the tissues to prevent decay. The most common fixative is formalin (10% neutral buffered formaldehyde in water).
Histopathological examination of tissues starts with surgery, biopsy, or autopsy. The tissue is removed from the body or plant, and then...often following expert dissection in the fresh state...placed in a fixative which stabilizes the tissues to prevent decay. The most common fixative is formalin (10% neutral buffered formaldehyde in water).
Nature of the work
Histopathologists work in the
laboratory, both in partnership with laboratory scientists and doctors from
other clinical specialties. They have an in-depth knowledge of both
pathological and clinical aspects of the disease.
The histopathologist is a
member of the multidisciplinary team, assessing cancer patients and planning
their further investigation and treatment. They also have key responsibilities
for cancer screening – currently for breast and cervical cancer but with bowel
and prostate cancer screening on the horizon.
In many hospitals, biomedical
scientists are undertaking more of the ‘routine’ cut-up of smaller specimens,
and in some cases are also conducting microscopic examination and report
writing of cytological samples.
With an increasing ability to
automate and mechanize laboratory processes, there is the possibility that
histopathology departments will no longer be necessary at smaller hospitals,
and work may be managed centrally in dedicated histopathology centers with
larger throughput capacity.
Some histopathologists have
specific clinical roles, such as taking fine-needle aspiration cytology
specimens in breast clinics. However, they generally don’t see patients in
person. Instead, they deal with specimens sent to the laboratory, or deceased
patients in the mortuary.
Patient contact is limited,
although they may see a patient to explain how their diagnosis has guided the
patient’s treatment or they may see the family of a deceased patient to
explain the cause of death.