PATHOLOGY, FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND RELATED SUB-SPECIALITIES

• Jurisdiction: Australia

What is pathology ......................................................................................... [33A.300]

The diagnosis of disease .............................................................................. [33A.310]

Screening of populations at risk ................................................................... [33A.320]

Determining the cause of disease ................................................................ [33A.330]

Pathogenesis ................................................................................................ [33A.340]

Aetiology ....................................................................................................... [33A.350]

Epidemiology of disease ............................................................................... [33A.360]

The nature of pathological study or investigation ......................................... [33A.370]

Macroscopic .................................................................................................. [33A.380]

Whole body ................................................................................................... [33A.390]

Whole organs ................................................................................................ [33A.400]

Optical microscopy ........................................................................................ [33A.410]

Body tissues .................................................................................................. [33A.420]

Body cells ...................................................................................................... [33A.430]

Electron microscopy ...................................................................................... [33A.440]

Molecular/genetic .......................................................................................... [33A.450]

Forensic pathology ........................................................................................ [33A.460]

Histopathology/anatomical pathology ........................................................... [33A.470]

Sub-specialities of histopathology/anatomical pathology Neuropathology ............................................................................................. [33A.480]

Paediatric pathology ..................................................................................... [33A.490]

Cytopathology ............................................................................................... [33A.500]

Autopsy pathology ........................................................................................ [33A.510]

Other pathology disciplines Haematology ................................................................................................. [33A.520]

Microbiology .................................................................................................. [33A.530]

Chemical pathology ....................................................................................... [33A.540]

Immunopathology .......................................................................................... [33A.550]

Molecular biology .......................................................................................... [33A.560]

[33A.300] What is pathology

Pathology relates to the study of disease (Pathos - suffering, logos - study). Disease is a disorder or abnormality of the normal functioning of an integrated living organism. The ultimate aim is focused on prevention of disease and maintenance of well-being. Pathology bridges the gap between clinical medicine and basic science in the study and diagnosis of diseases. It provides the basis of proper clinical care and medical therapy.

The practice of pathology consists of many sub-disciplines to address the pathology needs of a range of clinical medical specialists in which autopsy pathology plays only a small part. Forensic pathologists, on the other hand, specialise in performing medico-legal post-mortem examination and often play an indirect role in the practice of clinical medicine.

[33A.310] The diagnosis of disease

The correct diagnosis of disease is an essential element of medical practice. While a surgeon may use their clinical judgement to determine that a particular mass in the abdomen is a tumour, to provide the most effective therapy, the exact pathological nature of the tumour will need to be determined. The pathologist who examines the tumour will usually be able to tell which organ or part of the organ the tumour arose in, the cell type or tissue of origin of the tumour, whether the tumour is benign or malignant and if malignant how aggressive the tumour may be in spreading locally or distantly in the body.

Apart from tumours, testing may identify an infectious agent such as a virus or a bacteria that may be causing a chest infection or a wound infection.

Haematological tests may be used to identify a range of systemic disorders such as anaemia, the cause of which may be related to malnutrition, chronic blood loss, bone marrow failure or genetic defects to name a few.

[33A.320] Screening of populations at risk

In addition to individual testing of patients, pathologists are also involved in the screening of populations at risk. A pathologist screening for infectious diseases may be involved in:

• monitoring the spread of infection;
• tracing the source of infection using specialised methods to identify subtype of an infectious agent;
• testing individuals who may have been exposed to the infectious agent and identifying potential carriers; and
• identifying individuals who may benefit from vaccination or isolation.

Pathologists may also be involved in other forms of screening such as:

• cytology screening for premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix;
• biochemical testing for the

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