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What is Histology? |
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Answer: |
Pronunciation: his-'tä-l&-jE
Function: noun
1 : a branch of anatomy that deals with the minute structure of animal and plant tissues as discernible with the microscope
2 : tissue structure or organization
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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What is the role of a Dermatopathologist in skin cancer detection? |
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A Dermatopathologist is a Pathologist or Dermatologist who has done additional suspecialty training in skin pathology. The skin has a wide spectrum of pathology including skin cancers, benign skin tumors, inflammatory disorders, infections, congenital diseases, degenerative and metabolic diseases as well as skin manifestations of systemic diseases. When your physician performs a skin biopsy, the specimen is sent to the laboratory to be examined intact, then sectioned, processed and examined under the microscope. In some cases, additional studies and/or stains are needed to complete the evaluation. Correlation of the clinical appearance with the microscopic pathology results in the diagnosis.
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What role does a pathologist play in medical care? |
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Pathologists have been called the doctor's doctor. Except for a few specific procedures, pathologists rarely have direct contact with patients. They work with your doctor to interpret and diagnose test results. For instance, if you were to have a mole surgically removed a Pathologist would study the cell structure of that tissue to determine if it was benign or malignant and then consult with your doctor. Their responsibilities also include assuring quality of the pathology laboratory and performing autopsies. Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills is fortunate to be able to offer specialists in the fields of cutopathology, dermatopathology, hematopathology, anatomic pathology, forensic pathology, and clinical pathology.
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What happens to the biopsy tissue, organs, body parts that are removed in surgery? |
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Almost every tissue, be it a tonsil, a hip bone, a mole, or a sliver of an organ (biopsy), is sent to the histology lab for a detailed examination by a pathologist to determine what disease process has occured.
Once it is surgically removed, tissue is placed in formalin to "fix", which preserves the cells and kills any microorganisms that may endanger those handling the specimen. The pathologist, PA, or tech will then perform a "gross exam" of the tissue (look at it without a microscope) and choose portions about the size of a quarter to be examined microscopically. These portions are embedded in paraffin wax in order to make a solid block which can be sliced into extremely thin layers. A thin layer is placed on a glass slide and stained. It is then examined under the microscope by a pathologist who evaluates it and makes a diagnosis. This written report is then sent to the patients doctor.
The slides and paraffin blocks are ultimately stored for future needs, and the rest of the tissue is disposed of.
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My doctor discovered a lump in my breast during a routine exam. One of my options for diagnosis is a fine needle aspiration. What is this procedure? |
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Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a quick, reliable, and nearly painless method of diagnosing lumps anywhere on the body that can be felt by you or your physician, and is considerably less expensive than a biopsy. FNA is performed by a physician, taking about 30 minutes to complete. First the lump is accurately located using the fingertips. The actual aspiration lasts only a few seconds, and since a very thin needle is used, it is much like getting an injection.
FNA is virtually free of complications, and you may return to your normal activities immediately following the procedure. The results are usually available the same day. Once your physician knows the diagnosis, he or she can decide if surgery is necessary.
FNA was developed in America over 60 years ago. However, the procedure has been highly refined in the past several years that is now used frequently because of its ease, speed, and reliability.
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