MyHealthPEI Education Resource – Pathology and Cytology

What is Pathology and Cytology?

Pathology is when doctors look at body tissues and fluids under a microscope to help understand what’s going on inside your body. These samples can come from a small piece of skin or tissue (called a biopsy), organs, blood, or other body fluids. Sometimes, doctors also test the samples for chemicals or DNA to check for cancer or other diseases.

Cytology is part of pathology, but it looks specifically at cell samples removed from the body by scraping the surface of an organ, floating in body fluids or sucked out with a needle (aspirated).

What is a Pathologist?

A pathologist is a doctor who studies anatomy, tissues, body fluids and cell samples to help find out if or why someone is sick and to help diagnose diseases. Pathologists also do autopsies to learn more about why someone died.

Why are these tests done?

Pathology and Cytology tests help doctors:

• Find out what’s wrong: A pathologist may review tissues, fluids or cell samples as a screening test. These tests can show if someone has cancer, and if so, what kind. Or they can find out if there’s another health problem such as an infection or inflammation.
• See how serious the problem is: By looking at the samples, pathologists can tell if a disease has spread, changed or improved from treatment.
• Make sure the problem tissue is gone: After the removal of a skin growth or tumour, a pathologist reviews your tissues, fluids or cells to make sure no harmful cells are left behind.

What will your doctor do with your test results? 

Your doctor may use pathology results and other tests and exams to figure out what’s wrong and how to treat your illness. Sometimes, more than one pathologist may look at the sample to be sure of the results.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety

Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider if you feel sick, have concerns or notice health changes. It's a good idea to know your test results, which can be found in MyHealthPEI, and to keep a list of the medicines you take. If needed, call a registered nurse at 8-1-1 Telehealth to get help with your health questions.

This page is for your general information. Always talk to your health care provider if you have questions.

Additional Information:

https://www.mypathologyreport.ca/ 

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/search/pages/results-test-treatments.aspx?k=biopsy