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The Department of Pathology includes sophisticated laboratories and a staff of prominent pathologists who specialize in the diagnosis of tissue specimens and laboratory tests.
Learn more about the Department of Pathology at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Although pathologists do not interact directly with patients, their expertise is critical to the provision of quality patient care. All medical specialties such as oncology, surgery and radiation oncology, make their treatment decisions based upon the surgical pathology report.
Surgical pathology is the branch of pathology involved in cancer diagnosis. A tissue sample, or biopsy, is obtained from the patient, examined, processed to create slides and viewed under a microscope. The pathologist then looks for cellular abnormalities indicating an inflammatory condition, cancer or precancerous condition.
If cancer is found, pathologists stage the disease process according to its AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (TNM classification), which stands for the size of the tumor, any involvement of adjacent lymph nodes, and the presence or absence of metastasis or spread to other areas of the body.
The resulting pathology report contains information about the type and grade of tumor, and other relevant information such as size and growth into other tissues and organs. Pathologists use standard nomenclature and an easy-to-read format that clearly defines the characteristics of the malignancy, which helps the physicians plan further therapies. In addition to microscopic evaluation, pathologists use additional technologies to determine diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.
Pathology Lab
The Department of Pathology uses state-of- the-art technology to further identify and delineate malignancies, provide essential information about disease progression and treatment. Our equipment includes a new transmission electron microscope, flow cytometric analysis for leukemia and lymphomas, diagnostic molecular studies, such as detection of K-ras mutation, and cancer prognostic panels read by computerized image analysis. These technologies, combined with microscopic examination of the tumor, provide complete and advanced information that is essential to develop a plan of care. All medical specialties involved in the care of cancer patients use this information to develop individualized treatment plans and to identify clinical trials best suited for each patient.
Learn more about the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.
Tissue Procurement Facility
The Department of Pathology also provides services for researchers and patients interested in donating their tissues for research. This is done through the Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF) that can prospectively obtain autopsy and surgically resected tissue for research while safeguarding all aspects of patient care. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) authorizes our TPF facility to obtain tissue for research that would otherwise be removed for medical purposes and discarded.
Learn more about the Tissue Procurement Facility.
The information on these pages is provided for general information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or healthcare professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your healthcare professional.
To make an appointment, call 866-884-4HUH (4484)
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