Pathology

Pathology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis of disease based on the gross examination of surgical specimens and the microscopic exam of cells and tissue. The diagnosis reached by the pathologist is obtained by laboratorial methods,  integrated with clinical, radiological, biochemical results  among others, incorporating all the information needed in order to guide therapy and clinical follow-up of patients.

The Pathology Laboratory of the Hospital Particular do Algarve was founded in 2008, now working with several clinics and private consultants. It has all the necessary  infrastructure and equipment ,  highly qualified professionals and is an international reference,  responsible for the following procedures:
 

Histopathology

Histopathology is the microscopic study of tissue samples, biopsies and surgical samples through a variety of techniques and very specific methods.
 

Cythopathology

Cytology is the study of the physical, physiological, pathological and chemical aspects of the cells. Consisting on the study of harvested loose cells of an organ or tissue, or those present ina biological fluid.

Therefore, the mission of cytology screening is to provide an accurate microscopic result in various aspects: cervicovaginal swabs, brushed bronchial bronco-alveolar lavage, ascites among others, enabling the detection of carcinomas, as well as the identification of infectious conditions and pre-malignancies, The treatment will depend on results obtained.

The Pap Smear test is an example of this type of technique. This exam is collected by the gynecologist and sent to the laboratory for the cytopathologist to analyze the cells and if necessary make an early diagnosis of gynecological cancer or its risk factors, such as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) thus enabling the most appropriate treatment of patients affected by this disease.
 

Immunohistochemistry

The immunohistochemical examination has revolutionized the practice of Pathological Anatomy and apart from aiding in  the diagnosis of various tumors, the technique has also allowed for the identification of different types of markers that are related to the biological behavior of tumors.

For these reasons, it is particularly suitable for prognostic evaluation of neoplasm, determining the organ of origin of a neoplasm. Detection of metastatic cancer cells and differentiation between benign and malignant cell proliferation.