istopatologico

Istopatologico, or histopatología, is a branch of pathology that studies diseased tissues at the microscopic level to understand disease processes and provide diagnoses. It relies on the analysis of tissue samples obtained by biopsy, surgical resection, or autopsy. The examination typically begins with fixation to preserve tissue (usually formalin), followed by processing, embedding in paraffin, cutting thin sections, and staining, most commonly with hematoxylin and eosin. Additional techniques include special stains, immunohistochemistry, molecular tests, and, in research settings, electron microscopy.

Histopatología serves as the definitive or confirmatory basis for many diagnoses. It is essential for cancer diagnosis, classification, and grading; evaluation of inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, and degenerative diseases; assessment of surgical margins; and monitoring of transplant rejection. Pathologists integrate gross findings, clinical data, and histologic patterns to render a final report.

Professionals involved include pathologists who interpret the slides and histotechnologists who prepare the tissue sections. Training emphasizes standardization and quality control. In recent decades, digital pathology and whole-slide imaging, plus artificial intelligence, have begun to support diagnosis and education.

Historically, histopatología emerged in the 19th century with pioneers such as Rudolf Virchow, establishing the cellular basis of disease.

Terminology: in Spanish, histopatología; in English, histopathology. The adjective istopatologico or histopatologico may appear in medical writing in some languages.