Study of the diseases of body tissues and organs, such as cancer, is correctly termed histopathology. Tissues taken from patients, either at surgical procedure or at post-mortem are sent to the Histology laboratory for examination.
Tissue is processed to produce wax blocks from which tissue sections (about three microns thick) are cut. The sections, on microscope slides, are stained so that cellular structures and details can be seen using a microscope.
Further or more specialised staining techniques may be required to identify tissue components not readily seen using standard staining technique.
For example:
- stains to demonstrate micro-organisms such as TB or stains to illustrate damage to connective tissue structure as can be important in liver cirrhosis.
- immunocytochemistry can be used to identify a tumour or variant of a tumour, and is increasingly important as an aide to cancer diagnosis and detemining patient treatment.
Systemic Cytology
Cytology is the study of cells, and cytopathology is the study of disease at cellular level.
The cellular component of fluid samples are concentrated by centrifugation. A stained preparation is made which is examined microscopically.
Cervical Cytology
Cytology is perhaps best known for its role within the National Cervical Screening Programme and the microscopical detection of pre-malignant changes within cells taken from the cervix (neck of the womb)
Mortuary Services
The Trust has one fully operational mortuary, located at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and a body store at Bassetlaw Hospital.
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