VN 48m} UNIvERSIoADSAN pEORO eP FACUCTAD DE MEDICINA HUMANA Lic, Nadia Baca Carranza The Disciplines of Pathology At the present time, pathology has nine major areas of activity. These relate either to the methods used or the types of disease which they investigate. The disciplines are: Anatomical Pathology deals with the tissue diagnosis of disease, usually from biopsy materials taken from a patient in the operating theatre or on a ward, or from an autopsy (post mortem). Sub specialities include: + histology — the preparation of samples of body tissue for tests to diagnose and detect disease. * cytology — the performing of tests on samples of body cells to detect cancer, + forensic pathology — the analysis of criminal cases and assisting the police in their investigations, Example test: PAP smear for cervical cancer. Chemical Pathology or Biochemistry deals with the entire spectrum of illness, often involving detecting changes in a wide range of substances in blood and body fluids (electrolytes, enzymes and proteins) that change in many diseases. In addition, it involves detecting and measuring tumour (cancer) markers, hormones, vitamins, poisons and both therapeutic and illicit drugs Example test: cholesterol and triglycerides to diagnose risk factors for heart disease. Clinical Pathology the subspecialty of pathology that is familiar with the major aspects of the clinical branches of laboratory medicine. He or she is usually trained in chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology and blood banking, though not in as much detail as subspecialists in each field. Their role is similar to a General Pathologists but unlike General Pathologists they do not do Anatomical Pathology. A clinical pathologist would usually work in a medium sized privateAN USP. | UNIVERSIDAD SAN PEDRO iP FACULTAD DE MEDICINA HUMANA Lie. Nadia Baca Carranza van wi Patholoay? Woda, 6e @hAmail- tom 1Pathology is the medical specialty concemed with the study of the nature and causes of Gliseases. |t underpins every aspect of medicine, from diagnostic testing and monitoring of chronic diseases to cutting-edge genetic research and blood transfusion technologies. Pathology is integral to the diagnosis of every cancer. 2Pathology plays a vital role across all facets of medicine throughout our lives, from pre- «conception to post mortem. In fact it has been said that “Medicine IS Pathology”. Due to the popularity of many television programs, the word ‘pathology’ conjures images of dead bodies and people in lab coats investigating the cause of suspicious deaths for the police. That's certainly a side of pathology, but in fact it's far more likely that pathologists are busy in a hospital clinic or laboratory helping living people. » Pathologists are specialist medical practitioners who study the cause of disease and the ways in which diseases affect our bodies by examining changes in the tissues and in blood and other body fluids. Some of these changes show the potential to develop a disease, while others show its presence, cause or severity or monitor its progress or the effects of treatment. The doctors you see in surgery or at a clinic all depend on the knowledge, diagnostic skills and advice of pathologists. Whether it's a GP arranging a blood test or a surgeon wanting to know the nature of the lump removed at operation, the definitive answer is usually provided by a pathologist. Some pathologists also see patients and are involved directly in the day-to-day delivery of patient care. Currently pathology has nine major areas of activity. These relate to either the methods used or the types of disease which they investigate. For further information on each discipline please click on one of the following: + Rn’tomical Pathology ~ Chemical Pathology + Clinical Pathology * Forensic Pathology « General Pathology * Genetic Pathology + Haematology Immunopathology e Microbiology