Pathology / Biopsy

Histopathology is the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues and involves examining tissues and/or cells under a microscope. Histopathologists are responsible for making tissue diagnoses and helping clinicians manage a patient's care.

A histopathology report describes the tissue that has been sent for examination and the features of what cancer looks like under the microscope. A histopathology report is sometimes called a biopsy report or a pathology report.

Pathology is a broad branch of medicine. It studies the causes and effects of certain diseases. It boils down to the study or the examination of bodily organs, tissues, and fluids to diagnose diseases or identify anatomical disorders as well as the behavior of typical diseases. It is also important in the field of forensics because it helps identify certain body conditions that affect certain person s expiration.

Second Medic Pathologists: A Second Opinion from a Doctor You Should Know

Seventy percent of all medical treatment plans are driven by laboratory test results and every treatment begins with a diagnosis. where pathologists come in. I think it is important to share how pathologists work and how they can help patients make crucial healthcare decisions, even though they will most likely never meet.

Second Medic Pathologists understand that their diagnoses will drive treatment decisions, and they work closely as part of a team with physicians who treat patients while using clinical history to help make accurate diagnoses.

What Does Second Medic Pathologist Do to deliver a medical second opinion?

Pathologists who deliver Medical Second Opinion make diagnoses based on analyses of laboratory test results and tissue specimens in the context of the clinical presentation and discuss cases with treating physicians. They frequently consult with other pathologists who deliver Medical Second Opinion and work in accredited, externally inspected laboratories that routinely employ quality-assurance processes to ensure accuracy.

Surgical pathologists who deliver Medical Second Opinion make diagnoses based on examination of tissue removed, either as biopsies or as resections. The most important part of this examination is microscopic evaluation of the tissue, which requires processing to preserve details down to the level of single cells within tissue specimens. Tissue processing is a well-controlled, rigorous, reproducible process carried out by skilled technicians.

When Should Patients or Physicians Seek Second Opinions?

A second opinion should be obtained by a physician for a challenging case in an attempt to arrive at an accurate diagnosis leading to optimal treatment. And second opinions should be requested by patients when diagnoses require life-altering therapy, to ensure accurate diagnoses and proper treatment plans.

Let’s first look at how doctors work with pathologists.

Two Types of Challenging Cases When Physicians Need Second Opinions

Challenging cases Need Second Opinions ,those that cannot clearly be diagnosed via a characteristic cellular microscopic pattern can be divided further into two more categories: somewhat and really challenging cases. Somewhat challenging cases that Need Second Opinions have tissue specimens for which a standard microscopic examination alone does not give a clear answer. For these cases, the pathologist has additional tools to examine the biochemical and genetic properties of a specimen that will distinguish it from look-alikes and reveal its identity. Also, the expertise of a second pathologist will be called in and this review will either confirm the diagnosis made by the first pathologist or offer other ideas. This type of the second opinion from a pathologist is standard practice.

A really challenging case is one where neither microscopic examination nor any of the special tools just described allowing the pathologist to make a definitive diagnosis. Why does this happen? Some diseases take time to develop and may not show their true appearance early in their course. For example, a normal cell does not suddenly become a cancer cell; it may progressively undergo genetic changes over a period of time, existing in stages between normal and cancerous. These intermediate stages do not have the characteristic microscopic appearance of either normal or cancer cells, and differing opinions can arise. This is when another pathologist in a practice group is called upon by the first pathologist to review a case. It’s also standard practice to include external consultants since the lead pathologist’s main concern is for diagnostic accuracy that will result in the best treatment for each patient.

When a Patient Needs a Second Opinion

From the patient’s perspective, an accurate diagnosis that requires life-altering therapy (e.g., cancer requiring surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or some combination of all three) is devastating. A patient may want a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and understand the treatment options. steps in securing a second opinion:

Step 1 in securing a second opinion Inquire about the pathology laboratory that will examine your tissue samples. Is the laboratory accredited?

 

Step 2 in securing a second opinion Make sure the pathologists who are examining your tissue samples are board-certified.

Step 3 in securing a second opinion Find out if your hospital has a multidisciplinary breast conference. This is a team of physicians and other healthcare professionals that meets regularly to discuss the diagnosis and management of patients with breast disease, guaranteeing more consultation about the best approach for your care.

Step 4 in securing a second opinion If your hospital doesn’t have a multidisciplinary breast conference, consider getting a second opinion. Second opinions are always welcome. Have your doctor send the biopsy slides to another laboratory and request that they be read by a pathologist who specializes in breast pathology.

Step 5 in securing a second opinion Seek out accurate and credible resources to help you understand your pathology report and diagnosis,

Step 6 in securing a second opinion - Most accredited surgical pathology laboratories include second-opinion slide review as part of their quality-management programs. Ask about this.

Bottom line is that my hope is that patients seeking second opinions, and the doctors who treat them, will better understand how the pathologists who are making life-changing diagnoses operate.

When does the Histopathologists second opinion makes sense?

1. The Histopathologists' second opinion makes sense when your doctor doesn’t have the required specialist knowledge for your condition.
2. The Histopathologists' second opinion makes sense when various doctors have given you different recommendations and you need help making a decision.
3. The Histopathologists' second opinion makes sense when you haven’t received a clear diagnosis or therapy recommendation.
4. The Histopathologists' second opinion makes sense when your doctor has recommended a major operation and you want to make sure that it’s the best way to help you.
5. The Histopathologists second opinion makes sense when you feel that you haven’t been given enough information about your planned treatment.
6. The Histopathologists' second opinion makes sense when the suggested treatment promises no significant improvement to your condition.
7. The Histopathologists second opinion makes sense when you want to find out if there are other treatment options you can pursue.