American Board of Pathology P.O. Box 25915 Tampa, FL 33622-5915 Tel: (813) 286-2444 www.abpath.org

A Pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the laboratory application of the biologic, chemical and physical sciences. This specialist uses information gathered from the microscopic examination of tissue specimens, cells and body fluids, and from clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and secretions for the diagnosis, exclusion and monitoring of disease.

To acknowledge the diverse activities in the practice of Pathology and to accommodate the interests of individuals wanting to enter the field, the board offers primary certification through the following three routes: combined Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Anatomic Pathology only and Clinical Pathology only. A variety of subspecialty certificates is offered. Primary certification in Anatomic Pathology or Clinical Pathology may be combined with some of the subspecialty certifications.

Training Required: Three to four years

Subspecialties for Pathology

Certification in one of the following subspecialties requires an additional one to two years of training and an examination.

• Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine
  A Pathologist who specializes in Blood Banking/ Transfusion Medicine is responsible for the maintenance of an adequate blood supply, blood donor and patient-recipient safety and appropriate blood utilization. Pre-transfusion compatibility testing and antibody testing assure that blood transfusions, when indicated, are as safe as possible. This specialist directs the preparation and safe use of specially prepared blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma constituents and marrow or stem cells for transplantation.
  
  
• Chemical Pathology
  Chemical Pathologists have expertise in the biochemistry of the human body as it applies to the understanding of the cause and progress of disease. This specialist functions as a clinical consultant in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Chemical Pathology entails the application of biochemical data to the detection, confirmation or monitoring of disease.
  
  
• Cytopathology
  A Cytopathologist is an Anatomic Pathologist trained in the diagnosis of human disease by means of the study of cells obtained from body secretions and fluids; by scraping, washing, or sponging the surface of a lesion; or by the aspiration of a tumor mass or body organ with a fine needle. A major aspect of a Cytopathologist’s practice is the interpretation of Papanicolaou-stained smears of cells from the female reproductive systems (the “Pap” test). However, the Cytopathologist’s expertise is applied to the diagnosis of cells from all systems and areas of the body and in consultation to all medical specialists.
  
  
• Dermatopathology
  A Dermatopathologist is expert in diagnosing and monitoring diseases of the skin, including infectious, immunologic, degenerative and neoplastic diseases. This entails the examination and interpretation of specially prepared tissue sections, cellular scrapings and smears of skin lesions by means of light microscopy, electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
  
  
• Forensic Pathology
  A Forensic Pathologist is expert in investigating and evaluating cases of sudden, unexpected, suspicious and violent death as well as other specific classes of death defined by law. The Forensic Pathologist serves the public as coroner or medical examiner, or by performing medicolegal autopsies for such officials.
  
  
• Hematology
  A Hematopathologist is expert in diseases that affect blood cells, blood clotting mechanisms, bone marrow and lymph nodes. This specialist has the knowledge and technical skills essential for the laboratory diagnosis of anemias, leukemias, lymphomas, bleeding disorders and blood clotting disorders.
  
  
• Medical Microbiology
  A Medical Microbologist is expert in the isolation and identification of microbial agents that causes infectious disease. Viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as parasites are identified and, where possible, tested for susceptibility to appropriate antimicrobial agents.
  
  
• Molecular Genetic Pathology
  A Molecular Genetic Pathologist is expert in the principles, theory and technologies of molecular biology and molecular genetics. This expertise is used to make or confirm diagnoses of Mendelian genetic disorders, disorders of human development, infectious diseases and malignancies and to assess the natural history of those disorders. The Molecular Genetic Pathologist provides information about gene structure, function and alteration and applies laboratory techniques for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for individuals with related disorders.
  
  
• Neuropathology
  A Neuropathologist is expert in the diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system and skeletal muscles and functions as a consultant primarily to neurologists and neurosurgeons. This specialist is knowledgeable in the infirmities of humans as they affect the nervous and neuromuscular systems, be they degenerative, infectious, metabolic, immunologic, neoplastic, vascular or physical in nature.
  
  
• Pediatric Pathology
  A Pediatric Pathologist is expert in the laboratory diagnosis of diseases that occur during fetal growth, infancy and child development. The practice requires a strong foundation in general pathology and substantial understanding of normal growth and development, along with extensive knowledge of pediatric medicine.
  

Explore another specialty