Histopathology
1) Introduction
Pathology, as a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, plays a pivotal role in diagnosis, research, and monitoring of treatment. The Department of Histopathology at King's College Hospital exemplifies the field's complexity and incorporates dramatic new developments in molecular biology and diagnostic biotechnology.
The traditional line between different pathology disciplines grows fainter each day because new techniques permit the biochemical analysis of solid tissue samples, and advanced histologic methods are now routinely used to detect abnormal cells in body fluids. The Department of Histopathology is a leader in this rapidly evolving environment and develops new approaches by encouraging clinical and biomedical scientists to work as teams. These synergistic efforts offer new insights by transcending the traditional boundaries of pathology.
2) Clinical Services
2a) Histopathology Divisions
The broad array of laboratory tests necessary to support this technologically advanced environment is performed by multiple specialists in the Divisions of the Department of Histopathology. It maintains coordinated activities with Microbiology, Virology, Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Immunology, Haematology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Pathology Informatics, allowing the Department to provide support for all clinical and research efforts at KCH.
Working in conjunction with numerous specialised centres, the Department of Histopathology plays a key role in patient care, as well as in basic science and clinical research at KCH and King's College London School of Medicine, forging intellectual links between diagnostic services and basic sciences.
The Department of Histopathology is led by Dr. Salvador J. Diaz-Cano. It consists of the following major divisions:
• Surgical Pathology and its Specialties
- Breast Pathology
- Dermatopathology
- Endocrine Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Pathology
- Genitourinary Pathology
- Gynecological Pathology
- Haematopathology
- Musculoskeletal Pathology
- Renal Pathology
- Electron Microscopy
• Cytopathology and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Service and Clinic
• Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Special Techniques
- The role of this Division is to facilitate development of basic and translational research activities by Division members, and to represent the interests of research and molecular pathology faculty at the Department level. The long-term goals are to improve the participation of both faculty and trainees in research activities.
• Perinatal Pathology and Autopsy Pathology
(Please note Neuropathology and Liver Pathology are part of Neurosciences and Institute of Liver Studies, respectively.)
2b) Clinical & Diagnostic Services
The Histopathology Consultation Service offers comprehensive consultations in surgical pathology, cytology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, image analysis, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics.
Our goal is not only to serve as a reference laboratory for basic histopathology services, but also to provide high quality, highly specific, clinically relevant molecular diagnostic tests in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our laboratories are state-of-the-art facilities inspected by the Clinical Pathology Accreditation and maintain rigorous quality assurance programs. Our professional staff members are available by telephone to discuss all test results.
Core Histopathology Laboratories
Cytopathology Lab : Processes samples using the liquid based technology for both gynaecologic and non-gynaecologic cytologies and provides support for the screening program of cervical cancer.
Core Surgical Pathology Lab : Provides the processing for both frozen diagnosis and conventional diagnosis using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. A wide range of different tissues are handled, using both routine and microwave processors, and a wide repertoire of tinctorial stains are performed daily.
Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory, organised in three main areas:
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Lab: The CMP lab provides patients, clinicians, and national investigators with unique molecular testing of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue that is helpful in the diagnosis and prognostication of inflammatory and neoplastic disease. Using loss of heterozygosity analysis, methylation studies, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite instability testing, among others, material received in the surgical pathology laboratory is assessed for unique genomic abnormalities. In addition, this testing can be utilized for research projects by faculty and house staff officers alike.
ISH Lab : The in situ hybridization laboratory allows us to study solid tumors and transplant cases utilizing in situ hybridization assays. This would include analyses for translocations and gene amplifications/deletions that are essential to the practice of surgical pathology in the 21st century.
Immuno Lab : The two molecular laboratories supplement an enormous clinical and research immunohistochemistry laboratory, utilising the latest fully-automated platforms, which provides a comprehensive and extensive array of antibodies for immunohistochemical analysis in paraffin embedded and frozen tissue sections.
Autopsy and Perinatal Pathology Lab : The Autopsy Service handles all autopsies (clinical and coronial cases) for KCH including specialist perinatal cases. Approximately 350 autopsies are done per year and these autopsies are managed by a group of experienced autopsy pathologists.
Comprehensive Specialist Test Portfolio
To view our full range of pathology specialist tests, please click here
http://kingspath.co.uk/tests/histopathology/directory/
Research Activities
The Department of Pathology plays an integral role in advancing the frontiers of biomedical research, education and patient care at King's College Hospital. The faculty invests substantial time and energy in the education of graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows and both academic and subspecialty pathologists.
