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What is Anatomical Pathology?

Anatomical pathology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing diseases by examining tissues and organs. When doctors suspect a disease, such as cancer, they often take a small sample of tissue, called a biopsy, or remove a whole organ during surgery. These samples are sent to an anatomical pathologist, who is a doctor trained to look at tissues under a microscope.

The pathologist studies the structure, appearance, and patterns within the tissue to identify abnormalities. This examination can reveal the presence of diseases like infections, cancers, or inflammatory conditions. By understanding what’s happening at a microscopic level, the pathologist can provide a precise diagnosis, which helps the treating doctors to decide on the best course of treatment.

In addition to diagnosing diseases, anatomical pathologists also perform autopsies. During an autopsy, they examine the body of someone who has died to determine the cause of death. This can provide valuable information for families and help improve medical knowledge and public health.

Testing Process

Tissue samples are collected through biopsies, surgical procedures, or autopsies. Samples are preserved, embedded in wax, sliced into thin sections, and stained for examination. Pathologists examine stained slides under a microscope to look for abnormalities.

Diagnosing Diseases

Pathologists detect signs of diseases, such as abnormal cell structures and tissue organization. They determine if a growth is benign or malignant, identify the disease type, and, for cancers, assess the grade and stage. Techniques like immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology help identify specific disease markers and genetic conditions.

Understanding Results

Anatomical pathologist provides a detailed description of the findings and the diagnosis. The diagnosis helps doctors decide on the best treatment options for the patient.

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Meet Our Anatomical Pathology Specialists

Get to know our specialists here at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara.

Dr Joshua M Daniel

Consultant Anatomical Pathologist & Laboratory Director
Resident Consultant
Specialty
Anatomical Pathology
Qualifications
AMN, BKT, MBBS, M.Path (UM), FAMM, MIAC, IFCAP
Suite Number
A-L1-03A
Spoken Language
English, Malay, Tamil

Doctor Availability

Monday9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday9:00am - 1:00pm

Dr Maalini Krishnasamy

Consultant Anatomical Pathologist
Resident Consultant
Specialty
Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary pathology
Qualifications
MBBS, M. Path (UPM), Fellowship in Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology (Mal, Austria)
Suite Number
Level LG, Laboratory
Spoken Language
English, Malay

Doctor Availability

Monday9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday9:00am - 1:00pm