2: Role of the pathologist Flashcards
Who handles biopsy samples collected in primary and secondary care?
Pathology
Are solid organ specimens weighed by pathologists?
Yes
Are hollow organ specimens weighed by pathologists?
No
How are specimens analysed by pathologists?
Grossly (visible appearance)
Cytopathology (looking at individual cells using microscopy)
Histopathology (looking at tissue using microscopy and staining)
What is the difference between cytology and histology?
Cytology - individual cells
Histology - tissues
What is immunohistochemistry?
Use of antibody markers to identify features of a cell/tissue (e.g tumour receptors) by taking advantage of antigen/antibody interactions
Antibody usually has a fluorescent dye or something to identify it
What is meant by differentiation in terms of tumours?
How similar tumour cells look to their parent cells
Well differentiated = similar looking, good sign
Poorly differentiated = no similarities to parent cell, bad sign
described as grade
Describe TNM cancer staging.
Tumour - size, basement membrane breached?
Nodes - site and number of lymph nodes involved?
Metastasis - spread to local structures or distant sites?
Who needs to be informed about suspicious deaths?
Procurator Fiscal
What are the two main types of autopsy?
Full autopsy
Partial autopsy
Why are vitreous humour samples commonly taken by pathologists?
Good representation of blood contents prior to death
Blood glucose / alcohol levels change post-mortem due to overproduction of bacteria
What are three receptors which can be found in the membranes of breast tumour cells?
ER (oestrogen)
PR (progesterone)
HER2
Under which Act are hospital autopsies allowed to be carried out in Scotland?
Human Tissue Act
