Pathologists

A pathologist (or anatomical cytopathologist) is a specialist doctor whose job is to make a diagnosis based on an inspection of cell or tissue samples.

Cell sample inspection (cytopathology), within cervical cancer screening, is conducted on smears or sometimes needle biopsies taken from certain lesions during breast cancer screening. Tissue sample testing (histopathology) is performed on biopsies or surgical resections. After a (macroscopic) visual inspection, the samples are prepared using stains or specific antibodies for certain markers. The pathologists then interprets them under a microscope (microscopic analysis). Based on the cells’ appearance, size, shape and arrangement, it is possible to determine the nature of the lesions studied, make any applicable cancer diagnoses, determine its stage of spread in certain cases and determine therapeutic and monitoring decisions. The results of the examination (pathologist’s report) are sent to the doctors handling patient treatment. They also make it possible to evaluate organised cancer screening programmes.