Histopatológia

Histopatológia is the study of microscopic changes in tissues caused by disease. It is a crucial subspecialty of pathology that involves the examination of tissue samples, known as biopsies or surgical resections, under a microscope. Pathologists, who are medical doctors specializing in diagnosing diseases by examining cells and tissues, use histopathology to identify the nature of a disease, determine its stage and grade, and guide treatment decisions.

The process typically begins with a tissue sample being collected from a patient. This sample is then fixed in a chemical preservative, most commonly formalin, to prevent decomposition and preserve its cellular structure. Following fixation, the tissue is processed through a series of steps to embed it in a solid medium, usually paraffin wax. This embedding allows the tissue to be thinly sliced into sections using a microtome.

These thin sections are then mounted onto glass slides and stained with various dyes. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are the most common stains used, with hematoxylin staining cell nuclei blue and eosin staining cytoplasm and extracellular material pink. Different stains can highlight specific cellular components or structures, aiding in the identification of abnormalities.

Once stained, the slides are examined by a histopathologist. They look for characteristic changes in cell morphology, tissue architecture, and the presence of inflammatory cells, microorganisms, or abnormal growths such as tumors. The findings from the histopathological examination are then compiled into a report, which is sent to the referring physician to assist in patient diagnosis and management. Histopathology plays a vital role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including cancer, infections, and inflammatory disorders.