Pathologists are doctors, and some people call them doctor’s doctor because they are involved in the most important step of patient care: diagnosis especially diagnosis of cancers such as lymphomas and leukemias. Nearly every diagnosis your physician makes is a direct result of the laboratory tests and tissue diagnosis which require pathologist’s oversight and expertise. The pathologist will review a tissue specimen and render a diagnosis. In many cases, the pathologist will consult with your physician on an abnormal laboratory test value and histologic findings, suggest alternative tests, or recommend a different test that may enable a more accurate diagnosis and an appropriate medical decision in medication, surgical procedures and prognosis. Pathologists perform these vital tasks but often are under-recognized, they are unsung heroes.

Here is the partial list of pathologist’s functions in healthcare.
- Diagnose cancers, inflammatory diseases and hereditary diseases based on tissue, blood and tissue fluid specimens.
- Oversee laboratory testing including clinical chemistry, hematology, microbilogy, molecular genetics and cytology.
- Consult with other phycisians for selection of tests, test interpretation, and alternative testing.
- Involve in healthcare quality management and present in tumor board, transfusion committee, Infectious committee, etc.
- Perform medical and forensic autopsies.
- Teach residents and medical students.
- Research the fundmentals of diseases: pathology.

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