What is surgery pathology?

Surgical pathology is a branch of pathology that focuses on the diagnosis of diseases by examining tissues removed during surgery. The primary role of a surgical pathologist is to provide accurate and timely pathological examinations and diagnoses to assist in patient care and management. They play a crucial role in surgical interventions, helping surgeons make informed decisions and providing important information for patient follow-up and monitoring.

Surgical pathology involves the analysis of a wide range of surgical specimens, including biopsies, resections, and tissue samples obtained during various surgical procedures such as biopsies, tumor resections, organ transplantations, and more.

Some responsibilities of a surgical pathologist include:

- Grossing: The initial examination and documentation of the surgical specimen's macroscopic features, size, texture, and abnormalities.

- Histopathology: Microscopic examination of tissue sections through special staining techniques like hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to evaluate cellular changes, architectural patterns, and identify lesions or anomalies.

- Immunohistochemistry: Using antibodies in microscopic tissue analysis to investigate specific proteins within cells or tissues, identifying molecular markers associated with certain diseases or genetic mutations.

- Cytology: Examination of cells, often through smears or liquid-based preparations, obtained from fluid samples taken during surgical procedures for diagnosis.

- Frozen section pathology: A rapid processing technique for obtaining a diagnosis during surgical procedures to guide intraoperative patient management.

- Molecular diagnostics: Techniques like polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) are used to identify specific genetic mutations, assess DNA/RNA sequences, or analyze microorganisms involved in infectious diseases.

- Reporting: Surgical pathologists create and sign pathology reports that document their findings, diagnoses, and provide essential information for clinicians, contributing to patient care and follow-up decisions.

Pathologists closely collaborate with surgeons, oncologists, medical teams, and other healthcare professionals to deliver accurate and comprehensive diagnostic information to support effective patient outcomes. Through surgical pathology, pathologists strive to provide critical insights into diseases, ensuring appropriate care and improving patient management.