What are Histopathologic Techniques and How Can They Help You?

What are Histopathologic Techniques and How Can They Help You?

Histopathologic techniques are methods of examining tissues under a microscope to diagnose diseases, identify abnormalities, and evaluate treatments. Histopathology is the study of tissues related to disease, and it is performed by a specialist doctor called a pathologist.

Histopathologic Techniques Grego

One of the most comprehensive books on histopathologic techniques is Histopathologic Techniques by Jocelyn H. Bruce-Gregorios, MD and Marc-Eli Faldas Grego, MD. This book covers the principles and practice of histopathology, from tissue collection and processing to staining and interpretation. It also includes chapters on immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology, quality assurance, safety, and ethics.

In this article, we will review some of the main topics covered in Histopathologic Techniques by Grego and how they can help you understand your health condition better.

Tissue Collection and Processing

The first step in histopathology is to obtain a sample of tissue from the patient. This can be done by various methods, such as biopsy, surgery, endoscopy, or aspiration. The tissue sample is then fixed in a chemical solution to preserve its structure and prevent decay. The most common fixative used is formalin.

After fixation, the tissue sample is processed to remove water and replace it with paraffin wax. This makes the tissue hard and easy to cut into thin sections. The sections are then mounted on glass slides and ready for staining.

Staining and Interpretation

The next step in histopathology is to stain the tissue sections with different dyes to highlight different structures and components. The most common stain used is hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), which colors the nuclei blue and the cytoplasm pink. Other special stains can be used to detect specific substances or organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, amyloid, elastic fibers, or melanin.

The stained tissue sections are then examined under a microscope by a pathologist, who looks for signs of disease or abnormality. The pathologist can identify the type of cells, tissues, organs, or lesions present in the sample, as well as their characteristics, such as size, shape, arrangement, color, or texture. The pathologist can also compare the sample with normal tissue or with previous samples from the same patient to assess the progression or response to treatment.

Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Pathology

In some cases, staining alone is not enough to diagnose a disease or condition. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular pathology are two techniques that can provide more information about the tissue sample by detecting specific molecules or genes.

IHC uses antibodies that bind to specific antigens (proteins) on the surface or inside the cells. These antibodies are labeled with fluorescent or enzymatic markers that produce a visible signal when exposed to light or a substrate. IHC can help identify the origin of a tumor, its subtype, its grade, or its prognosis.

Molecular pathology uses techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), or next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze the DNA or RNA of the cells. These techniques can detect mutations, amplifications, deletions, translocations, or expression levels of genes that are associated with certain diseases or conditions. Molecular pathology can help diagnose genetic disorders, infectious diseases, or cancer subtypes.

Quality Assurance, Safety, and Ethics

Histopathology is not only a science but also an art that requires skill, experience, and judgment. Therefore, quality assurance (QA) is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of histopathologic results. QA involves standardizing the procedures and equipment used in histopathology labs, validating new methods and tests before implementing them in routine practice, monitoring the performance and competency of staff members through internal and external audits and proficiency testing programs.

Safety is another important aspect of histopathology practice. Histopathology labs deal with potentially hazardous materials such as chemicals, biological agents e0e6b7cb5c