patologiat

Patologiat, or pathology, is a medical discipline that studies the causes and effects of diseases. It involves examining tissues, cells, and bodily fluids to diagnose disease and understand its development. The term derives from Greek pathos (suffering) and logos (study).

Pathology is divided into anatomical pathology and clinical pathology. Anatomical pathology includes histopathology, cytopathology, surgical pathology, and autopsy. Clinical pathology focuses on laboratory medicine such as microbiology, hematology, biochemistry, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. Pathologists commonly work in hospital laboratories, linking laboratory findings with clinical management.

Diagnostic processes in pathology involve assessing biopsies and surgical specimens to determine disease type, grade, and stage. Cytology tests, fine-needle aspiration samples, and immunohistochemical staining support diagnosis. Molecular testing and sequencing enhance accuracy and guide targeted therapies. Autopsies can reveal mechanisms of disease and contribute to medical knowledge.

Clinical impact of pathology is wide, underpinning decisions in cancer classification and prognosis, infectious disease identification, and monitoring response to therapy. Pathology also helps establish the cause of unexplained illness and supports quality control in laboratory testing. Limitations include sampling errors and interpretive variability; test quality and appropriate test selection are essential.

History and development: modern pathology emerged in the 19th century with figures such as Rudolf Virchow, who emphasized cellular pathology. The field has expanded to molecular and translational pathology, integrating genetic and proteomic data with traditional morphological analysis to support personalized medicine.