The specialty pathology consists of recognising diseases, their aetiology, and their causes. A pathologist’s investigations are an important element of the diagnostic clarification procedure for both in- and outpatients. His results are often a pointer for further therapeutic planning.
The pathologist advises and supports doctors in all medical disciplines such as, for example, surgeons, internists, gynaecologists, urologists, dermatologists, and neurologists. He examines cells and tissue samples from swabs (e.g. gynaecological cytologies and non-gynaecological cytological preparations) and biopsies or samples taken at surgery for their functionality or abnormal changes. He also carries out autopsies.
His duties also include intraoperative rapid section examinations: during the operation itself the pathologist examines the tissue sample taken by the surgeon. The result of his analysis can have direct consequences for the surgeon’s further procedure.
In many cases the pathologist makes it possible to identify the underlying disease and its cause more quickly or even at all.