PATHOLOGY: A Career in Medicine

Pathology is the study of the nature of disease - its causes, processes, development, and consequences

Career Opportunities:• Diagnostician• Teacher• Scientific Researcher

The Pathologist in Patient Care

Identifies diseases in cells, tissues& fluids of the body

Analyzes gross and microscopic structural changes in tissues caused by disease

Examines cells to aid in disease detection

Provides and interprets laboratory information to help solve diagnostic problems and monitor effects of therapy

Anatomic Pathology:Surgical Pathology

Analysis of Biopsies and Surgical Specimens

Surgically Removed Tissue

Frozen Section/Gross and Microscopic

Evaluation

Diagnosis and Prognostic Information

Patient: 46-year-old man Heavy smoker Complains of:

WeaknessChronic coughChest pain

•Physical and Lab Findings:

Elevated Blood PressureElevated Serum Calcium

A Case Study in Lung Cancer

A Case Study in Lung Cancer

CT imaging reveals mass in right lung

Patient taken to surgery

Mass biopsied and sent for frozen section

Microscopic evaluation yields:- Precise diagnosis- Extent of disease

- Information needed to determine course of action

Anatomic Pathology:Cytopathology

A Case Study in Thyroid Cancer

Patient with thyroid mass receives a tracer dose of radioactive iodine, which reveals a “cold” nodule

Pathologist performs fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

Surgeon and oncologist determine course of action based on pathologist’s FNA diagnosis

Mass removed during surgery

Anatomic Pathology:Autopsy

Autopsy provides insight into disease processes and the influence of therapy on disease:

Reveals cause of death

May detect previously undiagnosed genetic disorders – information that may benefit living family members

Provides feedback to physicians involved in patient care: 1. Accuracy of diagnoses 2. Effectiveness of treatment

Clinical Pathology

Clinical pathology specialty laboratories include: Hematology Microbiology Immunology Clinical chemistry (toxicology) Blood banking/transfusion medicine Laboratory data management

Molecular Pathology

• DNA sequencing to identify infectious agents • Molecular identification of chromosomal rearrangements• Genetic alterations • Prenatal screening for hemoglobin disorders and metabolic diseases • Genetic susceptibility to cancer

The Pathologist as aConsultant

• Interprets laboratory results

• Advises physicians on appropriate diagnostic tests

• Contributes to medical and surgical patient management decisions

• Serves on hospital committees (e.g. quality assurance, blood utilization, infection control)

• Updates physicians about laboratory medicine in Continuing Medical Education programs

The Pathologist as a Teacher

•Provides instruction to medical students, pathology residents, graduate students

•Provides instruction to students in allied health science training programs

•Provides instruction in local, regional, or national continuing medical education programs

The Pathologist in Research

Investigates the causes and mechanisms of diseases by:

•Tracing new diseases to their origins

•Improving diagnostic approaches to diseases

•Identifying the genetic basis for patient response to treatments

•Identifying new pathogenic bacteria and other infectious agents

•Identifying genes involved in specific cancers

Pathology Training for Medical Students

•General and Systemic Pathology courses

•Elective opportunities for senior students

•One-year fellowships in pathology, usually following the second year of medical school

Graduate Medical Education in Pathology

Residency Programs:Anatomic and Clinical PathologyAnatomic PathologyClinical Pathology

Fellowships:•Blood banking/transfusion medicine•Chemical pathology•Cytopathology•Dermatopathology•Forensic pathology•Hematology•Medical microbiology•Molecular genetic pathology •Neuropathology•Pediatric pathology

Pathology Practice Options

•Community Hospitals

•Private/Group Practice

•Clinics

•Health Care Facilities

•Independent Laboratories

•Medical Schools

•Military

•Federal Government Agencies (NIH, FDA)

•State Government

•Pharmaceutical/Biotech Companies

Sources of InformationSources of Information

Intersociety Council for Pathology Information (ICPI)www.pathologytraining.org

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) www.ascp.org

American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP) www.asip.org

Association of Pathology Chairs (APC)www.apcprods.org

College of American Pathologists (CAP) www.cap.org

United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP)

www.uscap.org

Undergraduate Study in Pathology

Directory of Pathology Training Programs

Listing of Residency Training Programs, Fellowships, and Post-Sophomore Fellowships.

Print-on-Demand available for the full Directory or Residencies-only or Fellowships-only versions. Order online at www.pathologytraining.org. The Directory is also available online and is fully searchable by institution, region/state, and specialization atwww.pathologytraining.org.

Biomedical Physician Scientist CareersPublished by the American Society for Investigative Pathology with support from ICPI

•What is a Physician Scientist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine? •Why Choose Academic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine? •Is a Physician Scientist Career for Me? Choosing a Training Path •Choosing a Program•Choosing a Supervisor•Searching for Your First Job•Launching your Physician Scientist Career•Tenure, Promotions and the First Ten Years•The Institutional Challenge to Train and Maintain Physician Scientists

Journey To Success: Career Pathways for Biomedical Scientists in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Published by the American Society for Investigative Pathology, with support from ICPI

•What is a Biomedical Scientist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine?

•Why Pursue Pathology as a Career in Biomedical Science?

•Is a Biomedical Career in Pathology for Me?

•Education

•Non-Traditional Careers

•Searching For Your First Job

Intersociety Council for Pathology Information (ICPI)

Intersociety Council for Pathology Information (ICPI)9650 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, MD 20814-3993 (USA)Phone: 301-634-7200

Fax: 301-634-7990Email: ICPI@asip.org

www.pathologytraining.org