Description
This introductory academic note on Cellular Pathology provides a foundational overview for tertiary students pursuing diplomas and degrees in Biomedical Science, Laboratory Medicine, and Pathology. Authored by Dr. D.J. Cook as part of the "Biomedical Sciences Explained" series by Butterworth Heinemann, the material clearly defines cellular pathology and its core subdivisions of histopathology and cytopathology. It outlines the types of specimens handled in the laboratory, including biopsies, autopsy tissues, and fluid samples, and describes the key preparations such as whole mounts, sections, and smears. The document details the critical roles of the cellular pathology lab in disease diagnosis, tumor identification, and medico-legal investigations. A significant portion is dedicated to comprehensive laboratory safety, categorizing health hazards like biohazards, irritants, carcinogens, and toxic materials, as well as physical hazards including flammables and explosives. It provides essential guidelines for hazard control, waste disposal, and the use of personal protective equipment. This resource is vital for university and college students to understand both the scientific workflow and the stringent safety protocols required in a professional histopathology setting. Download these notes to build a solid foundation in cellular pathology principles and safe laboratory practice.
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Introduction to Cellular Pathology Lecture Objectives At the end of this lecture, you must be able to: • Define Cellular Pathology • State the roles of cellular pathology lab • Describe cellular pathology workflow • Identify hazards in cellular pathology lab • State safety measures in cellular pathology lab Tuesday, March 9, 2021 What is Cellular Pathology? • Is the branch of pathology that involves the study of structural and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs that underlie disease. • Two main subdivisions within cellular pathology:- I. Histopathology- the study of diseased tissue II. Cytopathology - the study of disease changes within cells Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Specimens in Cellular Pathology Lab • Human tissues come from surgery and post-mortem room. • Types of tissue obtained: 1. Biopsy • Incisional biopsy -small piece of lesion or tumour sent for diagnosis before final removal of lesion or tumour • Excisional biopsy -If whole tumour or lesion is sent for examination and diagnosis Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Specimens in Cellular Pathology Lab • Punch biopsies -punches are used to remove a small piece of suspicious tissue for examination (often from skin) • Curettings - tissue is removed in small pieces from the lining of the uterus or cervix • Core biopsies -a small tissue sample is removed using a special needle sometimes through the skin (percutaneously) Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Specimens in Cellular Pathology Lab 2. Tissues from autopsy -Determining cause of death -Research into causes and mechanisms of death -Education of undergraduate and postgraduates 3. Fluid • Individual cells rather than groups of cells e.g. pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Preparations in Cellular Pathology Lab Whole mount • Preparations of entire organs. Sections • Tissue cut in about 3-5mm thick for processing and 5m thick sections cut on a microtome. Smears • Made from blood, bone marrow or any fluid such as pleural fluid or ascitic fluid. Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Roles of Cellular Pathology • To establish diagnosis in certain diseases or organs. • To determine the cause of certain diseases. • For identification of the nature of tumors or giving diagnosis and prognosis. • In medico-legal cases. • Pathogenetical Investigations in experimental animals. Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Cellular Pathology Workflow Hazards and Safety in the Cellular Pathology Laboratory Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Hazards • Hazards are divided into two broad categories, health and physical. Health Hazards 1. Biohazards can be infectious agents themselves or items contaminated with them. • In Cellular Pathology lab: • Concerns are areas of frozen sections, autopsy and grossing due to the handling of fresh tissue. Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Types of Hazards 2. Irritants are chemicals that cause reversible inflammatory effects at the site of contact with living tissue e.g. eyes, skin, respiratory tract. e.g. Formaldehyde, methanol 3. Corrosive chemicals When exposed to living tissue, destruction or irreversible alteration occurs. If inhaled or ingested, cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. e.g. Glacial acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, chromic acid Tuesday, March 9, 2021
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