About pathology

Pathology is the medical specialty that studies the causes, mechanisms, and effects of disease through the examination of tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and autopsies. It bridges science and medicine, guiding diagnosis and treatment.
Key Branches of Pathology:
1. Anatomical Pathology
Examines tissues and organs to diagnose disease.
Includes:
Histopathology (microscopic tissue analysis, e.g., cancer biopsies).
Cytopathology (cell analysis, e.g., Pap smears for cervical cancer).
Forensic Pathology (determines cause of death via autopsies).
2. Clinical Pathology
Analyzes bodily fluids (blood, urine) for disease markers.
Subfields:
Hematology (blood disorders).
Microbiology (infections).
Clinical Chemistry (metabolic disorders).
3. Molecular & Genetic Pathology
Uses DNA/RNA analysis (PCR, sequencing) to diagnose genetic disorders, cancers, and infections.
Role in Medicine:
Diagnosis: Identifies diseases (e.g., cancer grading, infection detection).
Prognosis: Predicts disease outcomes (e.g., tumor aggressiveness).
Research: Uncovers disease mechanisms for new therapies.
Techniques Used:
Microscopy (light, electron).
Immunohistochemistry (detects proteins in tissues).
Flow Cytometry (analyzes cell populations).
Next-Gen Sequencing (identifies genetic mutations).
Pathology is essential for evidence-based medicine, from cancer diagnosis to infectious disease control.