Drexel University College of Medicine

About Pathology

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine contributes to the clinical, educational and research missions of Drexel University College of Medicine by providing a solid foundation for understanding disease processes in individual patients as well as in general terms. Since our discipline uses basic science approaches to elucidate clinical disease, we are in a strategic position to provide an important educational bridge and to conduct translational research.

Pathology Services

Department pathologists provide professional services that include rendering diagnostic interpretations and overseeing clinical laboratories in the Philadelphia region.

Pathology Diagnostics Laboratory (PDL)

In addition, the Pathology Diagnostics Laboratory (PDL) is a CAP certified laboratory that processes anatomic pathology specimens and provides diagnostic interpretations for physician office practices and a variety of investigators.
Pathology Diagnostics Laboratory (PDL)

Regional Autopsy Service

The Regional Autopsy Service provides comprehensive autopsy services to institutions and individuals that are outside of the regional Tenet hospital system.
Regional Autopsy Service (RAS)

Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory

The Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL) provide diagnosis, education, and clinical research services with emphasis on diagnosis of leukemias, lymphomas, other disease processes and provides additional molecular information for patient management.
Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL)

Electron Microscopy Laboratory

The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (EM) is focused on diagnosis, education, and research with emphasis on diagnosis of renal diseases, muscular and peripheral nerve diseases, as well as cancer.
Electron Microscopy Laboratory (EM)

These clinical activities ensure high quality patient care and also provide access to a wide variety of patient-derived material that supports the academic mission of the department.

Pathology Education

Our faculty members actively participate in the education of medical students, graduate students, residents and fellows. They are involved in both the instruction and administration of the IFM and PIL curricular tracks, a senior elective and a pathology pathway. Graduate medical education comprises a combined AP/CP residency program as well as cytopathology, surgical pathology, and hematopathology fellowships. Our department is also the institutional sponsor for the forensic pathology fellowship that is offered by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office. Finally, the department sponsors two CME programs that are aimed at faculty development.

Pathology Research

The investigational activities of the department are focused on translational research. Our investigators have utilized molecular approaches to identify a sensitive and specific marker for prostate cancer that is being used to develop a urine test for that disease. This general approach can be applied to the detection of a wide variety of other cancers and may also serve as the foundation for therapeutic interventions.

Other investigators are examining the link between viral infection and brain tumors; the effects of proton-pump inhibitors in patients with peptic ulcer disease and gastro-esophageal reflux; the biological consequences of cardiovascular prosthetic devices; and prediction of lymphometastasis in breast cancer.

Since our department is central to the collection of patient-derived biological material, a key activity for fostering translational research has been the establishment of an IRB-approved Tissue Procurement Facility, which distributes specimens from patients who consent to allow a portion of their diagnostic sample to be used for bio-medical research.

A primary goal of the department is to effectively utilize information from patient-derived biological specimens to advance patient care, education and investigation that will lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Central to fulfilling this goal is the development of resources in patho-bioinformatics and the analysis of gene expression in pathologic specimens. The department's active involvement in the development of those cutting-edge technologies will advance the understanding of disease processes and directly lead to improved patient care.

• Advanced Pathology Imaging Laboratory (APIL)
• Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF)