Pathology
The Division of Pathology processes and evaluates approximately 5,000 diagnostic cases per year to review patients’ diseases and treatment status.
Although the Pathology team primarily reviews surgical pathology cases, they also review cases from many divisions. Most patients who benefit from Pathology’s services have cardiac, gastrointestinal, muscular, neurological, and renal conditions, or have received a transplant.
The Pathology team evaluates:
- Biopsies of a variety of lumps and bumps, including all tumors
- Large surgical resections
- Cytology specimens (loose cells)
Each of Children’s pathologists is board certified in anatomic pathology, the diagnosis of diseases based on gross (naked eye), microscopic, and molecular examination of organs, tissues and cells. The Pathology team uses anatomic pathology methodologies including:
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Cytochemistry to study the macromolecules responsible for cell structure and function.
- Electron microscopy to view organelles within cells: commonly used to identify and diagnose kidney disease and immotile cilia syndrome.
- Immunofluorescence to view subcellular distribution of antibodies or antigens’ biomolecules by using fluorescence dyes.
- Immunohistochemistry to detect the presence, abundance, and localization of specific proteins: commonly used to identify and diagnose certain cancers.
- Muscle histochemistry to microscopically study diseased muscle tissues.
In addition, the team includes pathologists who are board-certified in clinical pathology, the diagnosis of disease through laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, and have specialty board certification in pediatric pathology and neuropathology.
The Pathology team offers post-mortem assessments to examine the extent of the disease and possible cause of death.
The Division of Pathology is part of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
- Departments & Programs - Children's National Medical Center
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