Histopathology-Cytology
About
The word “pathology” comes from the Ancient Greek words “pathos-πάθος-πάσχω” meaning disease or suffering and “logos-logia” meaning the study of.
Pathology, known internationally as “the bridge between basic sciences and medicine” is a medical specialty that, through tissue and cell examination, focuses on evaluating a disease by:
- establishing the presence of a disease
- determining its etiology, severity, and progress
- studying the tissue features that may potentially evolve into a disease to prevent this from happening
- investigating the complex ways and pathogenetic mechanisms by which disease affects the human body
- recognizing the effects of treatment
The Department
The German Medical Institute (GMI) operates a fully equipped and professionally organized Department of Pathology.
Our team focuses on providing high-quality services in many aspects of patient care, from making a diagnosis to informing a patient of their prognosis and guiding the recommended treatment plan by detecting the prognostic and predictive factors. These are vital parts of the personalized approach to medicine that we offer at the GMI.
We always strive for excellence and approach patient care by constantly looking for ways to improve it.
Our department collaborates with other departments, both within the GMI and at other hospitals, locally and internationally. We actively participate in the GMI multi-disciplinary tumor boards, and support other departments in their patient care or research. Moreover, our department is a satellite of the BIOBANK in Cyprus.
Histopathology examinations are a crucial part of disease care. When we study a tissue sample under the microscope, we can evaluate the structural and functional changes that take place in cells and tissues because of a disease. For solid tumors, examining the molecular biomarkers of the tumor are the best way to predict the likely impact a specific treatment may have.
This helps our medical team determine the best treatment plan for each specific case. Examining tissue can help us form a patient's prognosis, as we can determine the characteristics that may define the natural history and the course of the disease (prognostic biomarkers).
The GMI Department of Pathology provides high-quality services, focusing on three different areas: diagnosis, research, and education.
Our Services
Our pathologists examine tissue removed from the body, often through biopsies. Through these macroscopic and microscopic examinations, they can evaluate tissue slides and carry out molecular tests to diagnose disease. In line with the International Guidelines and Protocols, they provide prognostic and predictive information about the course of the disease. This helps our medical team, in collaboration with our pathologists, determine the best treatment plan for each individual patient. To achieve as accurate results as possible, our pathologists perform and evaluate specialized tests which use supplementary techniques, such as histochemistry, immunohistochemistry or other molecular methodologies.
We also provide cytological examinations of cytological samples: exfoliative cytology (e.g. conventional Papanicolaou tests) and intervention cytology (e.g. FNA’s).
In addition, our pathologists provide intraoperative consultations and quick diagnoses for a variety of diseases. This is usually requested by surgeons when the patient is in the operation room.
Moreover, they provide second opinion consultations, which include reviewing material that was originally obtained and evaluated elsewhere.
Equipment
An accurate diagnosis relies on the correct processing of tissue, completed with the maximum care.
The proper collection and preparation of samples, according to International Guidelines and Protocols, is critical to ensure the integrity of the tissue and proteins of interest, and to enable the detection of antibodies.
Research
Research and innovation are an integral part of the GMI identity. Clinical and basic science research supports our understanding of the way disease develops and progresses. It is vital in helping us offer the most innovative and effective treatment possible, and in eliminating diseases, including cancer.
The Department of Pathology collaborates with other research centers, both domestically and internationally, and takes part in scientific research teams and programs. Our experts are supervisors or committee members for many PhD theses, and have authored a number of articles in publications across the entire spectrum of Pathology-Oncology.
Education
Our Department of Pathology offers different educational opportunities to medical observers and medical students. Our medical staff has experience in teaching university medical students, as well as in training pathologists.
In the near future, our department will integrate Digital Pathology into our histological workflow. The benefits of this digital service will include faster diagnoses and reproducible results that will better enable us to consult or offer a second opinion to our patients; increased levels of collaboration with other specialties and other hospitals or research centers, bridging physical distance (telepathology) and fostering better communication; enhanced research and educational capabilities.
Doctors and Medical Staff
FAQs
In a biopsy, a sample of tissue, cells or a tumor is taken for analysis under a microscope. This sample can be collected in various ways, such as with a needle, surgically, or through a guided biopsy, where a sample of a tumor is taken using the help of imaging methods.
A doctor may recommend a biopsy to confirm that a tissue is normal or abnormal, and to determine the best treatment method. The area a biopsy may be collected from will first be identified through a clinical examination, imaging, or other laboratory tests.
This sample is then analyzed to accurately confirm it is normal, or to diagnose different diseases like cancer or chronic infections.
Histopathologic examinations are the study of different kinds of tissue and cells under the microscope. There are different types of histopathologic examinations, including biopsies. Through this examination a pathologist evaluates the tissue macroscopically and microscopically to accurately diagnose different diseases such as cancer and chronic infections. In most cases, the pathologist may add special stains to facilitate a specific diagnosis. When examining this tissue, pathologists are also able to identify and stage a cancer, determining its molecular subtype. This, in turn, helps the medical team decide on the best individual treatment plan for each specific case.
Globally, pathologists safely store examined tissue in their laboratory’s archives, as glass slides and paraffin blocks. The tissues can be used as a reference to compare if treatment was effective or if the patient has developed a new disease.
After written consent from a patient, their tissue may be used for educational or research purposes.
Cytology (also known as cytopathology) involves examining cells from tissues or fluids to determine a diagnosis. The physician looks at the cells in the sample under a microscope and look for characteristics or abnormalities in the cells.
Contact details
- (+357) 25 208 000
- [email protected]
- 1, Nikis Avenue 4108, Agios Athanasios, Cyprus
- Mon - Fri | 08:00 - 16:30
