American Pathology and Oncology Research

Cytopathology and Histopathology

Cytopathology is a diagnostic technique that examines cells from various body sites to determine the cause or the nature of disease. The first cytopathology test developed was the Pap test which has been widely utilized in the last 50 years for screening and diagnosing of cervical cancer and its precursors. The Pap test is considered the most successful screening test in medical history. Histopathology is the study of tissues (histology) and cells (cytology) and usually includes morbid anatomy (autopsies). Many refer to this specialty as Cellular Pathology. Histopathologists need good attention to detail for examining tissue and diagnosing disease. Histopathology involves the examination of sampled whole tissues under the microscope.