Phone: (203) 789-3090

Pathology plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Often it is the final word in diagnosing a patient's condition and helping to monitor the effects of treatment. Even though patients may not personally see the pathologist or laboratory technician involved in their care, the pathologist and laboratory technician is involved in their treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As a core study of medical school, pathology covers the broad science of understanding how cells and tissues are injured and what can be done to repair them.  Medical pathology is divided into two main branches, anatomical pathology (examination of organs, tissues, and bodies) and clinical pathology (lab analysis of things like blood and urine using the tools of chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and molecular pathology). 

Pathologists complete medical training, an approved residency program and must be certified by an appropriate body such as the American Board of Pathology in the U.S.  Most cancer diagnoses are made or confirmed by a pathologist.  Pathologists may also conduct autopsies to determine a cause of death.

To help patients better understand pathology reports on a particular test, diagnosis or prescribed treatment, the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology has developed an in-depth series of frequently asked questions (FAQs).  Click here to view the alphabetical listing of FAQ's on that site.

To learn more about the pathologists and lab technicians at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, read the message from the department chairman.