histopathological

Histopathological is an adjective that pertains to histopathology, the branch of pathology that studies disease by examining tissues under the microscope. The term is used to describe findings, techniques, and analyses that relate to the microscopic structure and cellular makeup of tissues in health and disease.

The histopathological process begins with tissue specimens obtained through biopsy, needle aspiration, surgical excision, or autopsy. The samples are fixed to preserve cellular detail, embedded in a medium such as paraffin, sectioned into thin slices, and stained (most commonly with hematoxylin and eosin). Additional methods, including special stains, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and molecular assays, may be used to highlight specific components or markers.

Pathologists interpret histopathological specimens by evaluating tissue architecture, cellular morphology, and the relationship between cells and surrounding stroma. They assess patterns of inflammation, infection, necrosis, fibrosis, neoplasia, and other disease processes. The resulting histopathological diagnosis can define disease entities, classify tumor types, grade malignancies, determine margins after surgery, and guide treatment decisions. In oncology, histopathology is central to tumor classification, prognosis, and staging in conjunction with clinical and radiographic information.

Limitations of histopathological assessment include sampling error and artifacts from fixation, processing, or sectioning. Accurate interpretation depends on adequate tissue quality and quantity, appropriate clinical context, and sometimes adjunct techniques. Overall, histopathological analysis is a foundational tool in diagnosing diseases, guiding therapies, and advancing biomedical understanding.