When it comes to health, the focus is often on doctors and treatments. But behind every accurate diagnosis, there is a silent expert working in the background. This expert is called a pathologist, and the science they follow is known as pathology. The word “pathology” came from a Greek word called “pathología,” which means “suffering.” Pathology helps doctors detect, treat and prevent diseases.

From a simple blood test to cancer diagnosis, nothing moves ahead without this field. It’s the bridge between lab work and your treatment. Without pathology, medical care would be incomplete. If you have ever wondered what happens to your test samples after giving them at the lab, this blog has all the answers.

What is Pathology?

Pathology is a branch of medical science, which is related to the study of diseases. It helps in understanding three major questions around illnesses.

• What is it?
• How does it behave?
• How to treat it?

The confirmation of every disease, whether it’s a viral fever or a cancer, the confirmation depends on the pathology reports. This field of diagnosis works as a bridge between modern science and medicine. It helps doctors know exactly what’s wrong with your body. Through advanced tools, tests, and techniques, pathology supports almost every treatment plan. From early disease detection to finding the right medicine, pathology plays a key role.

Who is a Pathologist?

In simple terms, a pathologist is a medical professional, who is specialised in diagnosing and preparing reports of medical conditions by performing laboratory tests. They also anaylse your report using advanced techniques to understand the nature and cause of illness.

What Does a Pathologist Do?

Most of you must have been to the pathology lab for a blood or urine test. But have you wondered what a pathologist does? So basically a pathologist checks your blood, urine, tissue or any other body fluid using different devices to diagnose a problem. Their job is to identify infections, diseases or anything abnormal inside the body. Pathologists are involved in nearly every health condition. Even if they don’t meet patients, their work directly affects treatment success.

• They help in confirming or ruling out a disease.
• Help in suggesting the best treatment option for the patient.
• Helps in monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes or cancer.
• Can identify the early signs of serious illness.
• Can help your doctor in guiding surgery decisions in real time.

Inputs provided by the pathologists are trusted by doctors and surgeons. In case of emergency also, most decisions are made after analysing the test reports. Many people get confused between a phlebotomist and a pathologist. Lets understand the difference, while a phlebotomist is the person who draws your blood sample, pathologists study them under a microscope or run tests on machines. They both work closely.

Difference Between Pathologists and Pathology?

In simple terms, pathology is a field of medical science where students study disease. On the other hand, pathologists are the doctors or scientists who study and report the disease after carefully analysing the patient’s blood sample.

Types of Pathology

There are many types of pathology. Each one deals with a specific part of your body or type of disease. Lets understand these in detail:

1. Chemical Pathology: It involves biochemical examination of body fluids and their effects on your body. Major tests such as blood sugar levels, liver function, kidney function, hormones, and many more.
2. Cytopathology: This branch of pathology studies cells. It is used in tests like Pap smears to check for cancerous or abnormal cell presence.
3. Hematopathology: It deals with blood related diseases. If you have ever been tested for anaemia, blood cancer, or blood clotting issues, a hematopathologist is behind the scenes.
4. Dermatopathology: This one studies skin diseases. Whether it’s eczema, skin cancer, or infections, this pathologist works on skin samples.
5. Surgical Pathology: They study tissues removed during surgery. Their report helps the surgeon decide how to proceed, especially in cancer cases.
6. Medical Microbiology: This pathologist finds out which bacteria or virus is causing the infection. In hospital outbreaks like MRSA, they help control the spread.
7. Forensic Pathology: They work with police and law departments. They find the cause of sudden or suspicious deaths.
8. Molecular Genetic Pathology: This branch uses gene testing. It helps detect inherited conditions or gene related diseases like some cancers.
9. Neuropathology: They work on brain and nerve related diseases. For conditions like Alzheimer or muscle disorders, these pathologists provide the answers.
10. Pediatric Pathology: They deal with children’s diseases, right from birth. Their role is crucial in treating disorders in newborns.

In the true sense, pathologists are the backbone of our healthcare system. From a viral fever to life threatening conditions, they play an important role in diagnosis and treatment. So the next time you get a report in your hand, remember, the hand of a highly trained pathologist is behind the assessment of your blood sample.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is a pathologist a MBBS doctor?

Ans. Yes, a pathologist is a qualified medical doctor in India. To become a pathologist, one must first complete an MBBS degree.

Q. What does a pathologist do?

Ans. A pathologist is a medical professional who investigates samples collected from your body to diagnose diseases. They analyse these  under the microscope, conduct lab tests, and help doctors with diagnostic reports.

Click here to Book Full Body Checkup, Free Home Sample Collection Today