Histopatoloogiline

Histopatoloogiline refers to the study of diseased tissues. It is a subspecialty of pathology that involves the microscopic examination of cells and tissues obtained from biopsies or surgical specimens. The primary goal of histopathology is to diagnose diseases, particularly cancer, by identifying abnormal cellular changes, architectural distortions, and the presence of inflammatory cells or pathogens.

The process begins with the collection of a tissue sample, which can be obtained through various procedures such as needle biopsy, endoscopic biopsy, or surgical excision. The tissue is then preserved, typically in formalin, and processed through a series of steps including dehydration, embedding in paraffin wax, and sectioning into very thin slices. These thin sections are mounted onto glass slides and stained with various dyes, most commonly hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), to highlight different cellular and tissue components.

A histopathologist, a physician with specialized training in pathology, then examines these stained slides under a microscope. They look for characteristic features of disease, such as the presence of malignant cells, their degree of differentiation, invasion into surrounding tissues, and the extent of metastasis. The histopathological diagnosis is crucial for guiding patient treatment and prognosis. It also plays a vital role in research, helping to understand disease mechanisms and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.