clinicalpathologic

Clinical-pathologic correlation, often written clinical-pathologic, is the practice of integrating a patient’s clinical history and examination findings with pathologic data from tissue samples to arrive at or refine a diagnosis and to guide management.

The process involves collaboration between clinicians and pathologists. Clinicians provide history, imaging results, laboratory data, and treatment information; pathologists examine specimens, generate gross descriptions and histology, and perform ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry or molecular testing. The two sides compare information to confirm a diagnosis or reconsider differential diagnoses, and clinico-pathologic conferences (CPC) are held to discuss challenging cases.

Applications span multiple areas of medicine. In oncology, clinical-pathologic correlation supports accurate tumor classification, grading, and staging. It is also important in infectious and inflammatory diseases, dermatopathology, and systemic illnesses with tissue involvement. This approach helps explain discordant findings, guides therapy, and can alter prognosis or management plans.

Limitations include sampling bias, timing differences between clinical data and tissue acquisition, and tissue heterogeneity within lesions. Effective correlation depends on high-quality clinical data, good communication, and access to appropriate pathology studies.

Historically, clinico-pathologic correlation has been a cornerstone of diagnostic medicine and multidisciplinary care. It remains integral to tumor boards, pathology reporting, and quality assurance, contributing to accurate diagnoses and informed treatment decisions.