Laboratory Services

Histopathology involves examining tissue obtained through biopsy or surgery to determine whether cancer is present and identify its type, grade, and other characteristics. The pathologist assesses the organisation and appearance of the cells and surrounding tissue and, in surgical specimens, may also evaluate tumour size, margins, lymph nodes, and other features relevant to staging and treatment planning.

Cytopathology examines individual cells or small groups of cells obtained through fine-needle aspiration, brushings, washings, smears, or body fluids such as urine, sputum, pleural fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. It may help detect malignant or suspicious cells, investigate abnormalities, and support cancer diagnosis, although a tissue biopsy may still be required when cytology findings are inconclusive or further tumour characterisation is needed.

Hematopathology focuses on cancers and disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and lymphatic system, including leukaemias, lymphomas, plasma-cell disorders, and myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasms. Diagnosis may integrate blood and bone-marrow morphology, tissue examination, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic studies, and molecular testing to accurately classify the disease and guide treatment.

Immunohistochemistry uses specially designed antibodies to detect specific proteins or markers in tissue samples. It can help determine the origin and subtype of a cancer, distinguish between tumours that appear similar under routine microscopy, identify prognostic features, and assess biomarkers that may influence eligibility for hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments.

Clinical chemistry measures substances in blood, urine, and other body fluids to assess organ function, general health, and the effects of cancer or its treatment. Tests may include kidney and liver function, electrolytes, glucose, proteins, enzymes, and selected tumour markers. These results can support diagnosis, establish baseline health, guide treatment safety, identify complications, and monitor response, but tumour-marker results are generally not interpreted in isolation.

Molecular diagnostics examines genetic, genomic, or other molecular changes in tumour tissue, blood, bone marrow, or body-fluid samples. Techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and next-generation sequencing may identify alterations that refine diagnosis, provide prognostic information, guide targeted treatment or immunotherapy, detect inherited cancer susceptibility when appropriate, and help monitor selected cancers.

Intraoperative consultation provides the surgical team with rapid pathological assessment while an operation is in progress. Depending on the clinical question, the pathologist may examine a frozen tissue section, cytology preparation, or the specimen macroscopically to help identify the nature of an abnormality, assess selected margins, confirm that representative tissue has been obtained, or guide the next surgical step. The preliminary intraoperative finding is followed by a more detailed examination of permanent sections before the final diagnosis is issued.