What is Pathology?

Pathology is the study of the nature and causes of diseases.  It underpins every aspect of medicine, from diagnostic testing and monitoring of chronic diseases to cutting-edge genetic research and blood transfusion technologies. Pathology is integral to the diagnosis of every cancer.

Pathologists are specialist medical practitioners who study the cause of disease and the ways in which diseases affect our bodies by examining changes in the tissues and in blood and other body fluids. Some of these changes show the potential to develop a disease, while others show its presence, cause or severity, monitor its progress and the effects of treatment.

In Ireland, pathology has six major areas of activity:

• Chemical Pathology
• Clinical Microbiology
• Haematology
• Histopathology
• Immunology
• Neuropathology