patologer

Patologer is the term used in several languages for a medical doctor who specializes in pathology, the branch of medicine that studies disease through the examination of organs, tissues, cells, and bodily fluids. The English equivalent is pathologist. Patologers diagnose diseases from tissue samples, perform autopsies, and provide laboratory assessments that guide treatment. They work in hospitals, medical examiner or coroner offices, universities, and research or industry settings. Subfields include anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, neuropathology, forensic pathology, hematopathology, and molecular pathology.

Training and certification: In most countries, becoming a patologer requires medical school, followed by residency or specialization in pathology and national or board certification. In the United States, this involves an MD or DO and a residency in Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathology, with certification by the American Board of Pathology. European training varies by country but generally includes a medical degree and a structured pathology specialization, with a national qualification to practice.

Techniques and tools: Pathology relies on histology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and imaging. Patologers interpret tissue architecture and cellular features to render diagnoses, determine prognosis, and guide therapy. They also participate in quality control, tumor boards, and translational research, and increasingly use digital pathology and AI-assisted analysis.

History: Modern pathology developed in the 19th century with pioneers such as Rudolf Virchow, who emphasized cellular pathology. The term Patologer reflects the long-standing role of physicians who diagnose disease through tissue and cellular examination.