Anatomic Pathology

The Anatomic Pathology department provides diagnostic services and specialized testing for patients with solid tumors. Our pathologists are subspecialized and have clinical and research expertise in a range of solid tumors. In addition, our pathologists collaborate with other clinicians to customize each patient’s treatment based on his or her individual diagnosis.

The Anatomic Pathology department accomplishes its work in three different areas:

Diagnosis

Surgical pathology and cytopathology provide the diagnostic backbone for patients seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and our internationally recognized pathologists are important members of the clinical management teams. This service is provided to all MD Anderson patients and includes review of material obtained and evaluated elsewhere as well as those obtained at the hospital. This review has been shown to be of significant importance in both terms of quality of care and economic benefit. In addition, the department sees second opinion consultations through our outside consultative services. These second opinion consultations from around the globe represent a substantial portion of our caseload.

Research

Both clinical and basic science research are critical in supporting the mission of eliminating cancer in Texas, the nation and the world. The research performed by our faculty has received high recognition both nationally and internationally and are published in notable, high impact medical journals. The Anatomic Pathology department faculty are key members of several research initiatives, including the Cancer Moon Shots and the largest number of National Institute of Health (NIH) Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs).

Education

The Anatomic Pathology department provides comprehensive educational opportunities to trainees, medical observers and practicing pathologists in the community through a variety of clinical and research fellowships, continuing medical education (CME) lectures and conferences and observerships. In addition, our faculty routinely lecture at national and international conferences and have authored a substantial number of textbooks across the entire spectrum of oncologic pathology.