Anatomic Pathology
Anatomic pathology is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic and molecular examination of organs and tissues. It is one of two branches of pathology, the other being clinical pathology, the diagnosis of disease through the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids and/or tissues. Often, pathologists practice both anatomical and clinical pathology, a combination known as general pathology.
Anatomic pathology relates to the processing, examination, and diagnosis of surgical specimens by a physician trained in pathological diagnosis. Clinical pathology is the division that processes the test requests more familiar to the general public, such as blood cell counts, coagulation studies, urinalysis, blood glucose level determinations and throat cultures. Its subsections include chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis and blood bank.
Anatomical pathology is itself divided in subspecialties, the main ones being surgical pathology (breast, gynecological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, GU, soft tissue, head and neck, dermatopathology), neuropathology, hematopathology, cytopathology, and forensic pathology.
Anatomic pathology is one of the two primary certifications offered by the American Board of Pathology (the other is clinical pathology) and one of three primary certifications offered by the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology. To be certified in anatomic pathology, the trainee must complete four years of medical school followed by three years of residency training. Many U.S. pathologists are certified in both anatomic pathology and clinical pathology, which requires a total of four years of residency. After completing residency, many pathologists enroll in further years of fellowship training to gain expertise in a subspecialty.
Anatomic pathologists usually work in hospitals, investigating the effects of disease on the human body via autopsies and microscopic examination of tissues, cells, and other specimens. Medical laboratory directors are responsible for the sophisticated laboratory tests on samples of tissues or fluids and the quality and accuracy of the tests. The practice of pathology is most often conducted in community hospitals or in academic medical centers, where patient care, diagnostic services, and research go hand in hand.
University of Minnesota Pathologists Organize Tissue Archives
CEO SUMMARY: Pathologists at the University of Minnesota Medical School are working to create an electronic data base that covers the more than 100 years of autopsy cases that have been archived and stored. Their goal is to use this information to improve teaching and to further research …
Wall Street Journal Addresses Error Rates by Pathologists
MEDICAL ERRORS HAVE TAKEN center stage in the public eye, and recently the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) printed a prominent story about errors made by the pathology profession. On Friday, April 13, the WSJ’s “Health Journal” column on the front page of section two tackled the topic of pa…
“Local” Anatomic Path Has Two Major Players
CEO SUMMARY: After a lot of money and much effort, the fledgling crop of companies wanting to consolidate and manage pathology group practices has narrowed into just two market leaders: AmeriPath and Pathology Service Associates. These two companies could not be more different in their go…
AmeriPath & InformDX Merging To Form Largest Anatomic Pathology Firm in U.S.
CEO SUMMARY: AmeriPath and InformDX shared several common elements in their respective business strategies. Both companies believe that pathology services are best delivered at the local level and benefit from the support of a national organization. Both companies believe that physicians …
National Anatomic Pathology Companies Continue to Grow
IT’S BOOM TIME IN ONE SEGMENT of the clinical laboratory world. The national anatomic pathology companies are posting record rates of growth and profits. The sustained and strong financial performance at DIANON Systems, Inc. and IMPATH, Inc. has not gone unnoticed…
Developing Technology Expected To Fuel Boom In Anatomic Pathology
CEO SUMMARY: Established demographic trends point to a coming boom in the demand for anatomic pathology services. Greater number s of senior citizens, living longer lives, will raise the number of cancer cases diagnosed annually in the United States. New diagnostic technology will increas…
IMPATH Creates Its Brand Of Value-Added Pathology
CEO SUMMARY: IMPATH Inc. is a pathology company with an interesting twist. It doesn’t compete directly with community hospital-based pathologists like some national AP providers. Instead, it offers AP services which supplement the capabilities of the local pathologist. The formula must …
IMPATH Points Pathology Toward a Winning Future
CEO SUMMARY: Pathology is about to undergo a market transformation similar to radiology. As clinicians insist on more precise diagnostic and prognostic information about their patients, pathologists will have a perfect opportunity to reposition themselves as essential partners with the re…
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Volume XXXII, No. 6 – April 21, 2025
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