A surgical pathologist examines body tissues for the presence of disease in an effort to aid in diagnosing and treating patients. When disease or infection is suspected, surgical pathologists thoroughly examine body tissues removed during surgery for signs, including cancerous cells. They sometimes make preliminary observations based on what they see with the naked eye but then use high-powered microscopes and other tools to provide more detailed and precise information. Additionally, a person with this title can use his skills and knowledge in other ways, such as to aid in determining paternity and assisting with the examination of forensic evidence.
While many people think of the surgeons and doctors they see for treatment as the most critical components of their health care, surgical pathologists have important roles to play as well. This is because they provide other surgeons and doctors with reliable information they can use in diagnosing and treating patients. Typically, they use microscopes, other types of pathology equipment, and sometimes the naked eye to determine whether a patient's tissues show signs of disease or infection. By providing this information to a patient's doctor or surgeon, they help ensure that a patient can receive the best possible care.
Often, a surgical pathologist has the job of determining whether tissue is cancerous or not. For example, if a patient has a lump in her breast and her doctor cannot determine whether it is cancerous through non-invasive testing, a surgeon may remove it. Then, a surgical pathologist can examine it to determine whether or not the tissue is cancerous. If this tissue is deemed cancerous, a surgical pathologist may also sample tissues from nearby parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, to determine whether they should be removed as well, and what other treatment might be warranted.
While a patient may have many examinations and consultations with his doctor or surgeon, he will not usually have any contact with a surgical pathologist. This is due to the fact that people with this title usually work behind the scenes with bodily tissues rather than with patients. Pathologists do, however, have a good deal of contact with the doctors and surgeons who are treating patients.
Sometimes a surgical pathologist also performs other types of tests that do not involve disease or infection diagnosis. For instance, a person with this title might examine tissue to determine whether there is a genetic link between two individuals. He may also examine tissue to assist with the investigation of a crime.
