Hematopathology:
Hematopathology is the study of blood and solid blood cell tumors. Our hematopathologists have undertaken a rigorous one year course of study specializing in this field and/or are board certified. The study of leukemia (blood cells) and lymphoma (solid tumor) is complex and challenging, with many new therapies appearing on the horizon. These new therapies are associated with cures and long term survival of patients. This requires exact and expert diagnosis that guides the clinicians into providing the optimum therapy for their patients. IRL Pathology Services also provides adjuvant disciplines or testing regimes, including flow cytometry which analyzes malignant blood cells and malignant blood cells tumors, and provides the primary care clinician with added therapeutic information to guide therapy for their patients. In addition, we also provide molecular pathology which gives added support for the nature of these types of tumors and ultimately guides therapy for the clinician. At the present time, our group has four board certified hematopathologists that provide these services.
Cytopathology:
Cytopathology is the study of malignant cells involving pap smears, body fluids and needle guided biopsies. This expertise requires a rigorous one year study in addition to a pathology residency and also includes a rigorous examination. The study of cytopathology is a complex discipline and often can prevent a patient from undergoing a biopsy that requires more extensive surgery. The recognition of malignant cells gives the clinician viable information to guide the therapy for his or her patient in a timely basis. Currently our group has nine board certified pathologists that provide this valuable pathology subspecialty experience.
Dermatopathology:
Dermatopathology is the study of skin disorders that encompasses melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, cutaneous lymphomas, and inflammatory skin conditions. Our dermatopathologist has undergone an extensive post-residency fellowship training program that includes both dermatopathology and clinical dermatology. In addition to our outstanding routine studies, we also offer molecular pathology testing to aid in the diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas. Dermatopathology is a complex and challenging field that requires special training and expertise to ensure the best possible treatment for our patients.
Molecular Pathology:
We are pleased to have Dr. Mongia as part of our group as a board-certified physician in Molecular Genetic Pathology. Dr. Mongia plays an integral part in Molecular Diagnostics, which is a rapidly advancing area of research and medicine with new technologies and applications being continually added.
Molecular Pathology/ Molecular Diagnostics is a branch of pathology that uses DNA, RNA, and/or proteins to test for specific states of health and disease. Although Molecular Pathology and Diagnostics is treated as a subset of Pathology, it involves various other biomedical disciplines such as genetics, immunology, oncology, etc.
Traditional diagnostics use associations of single analytes (Glucose, Cholesterol etc) for patient management. Most often, traditional diagnostics are also the cheapest, most efficient, convenient and/or simplest technology.
In contrast, Molecular Diagnostics are based on complicated biology (at the molecular level) at the current time. It employs most innovative, scientific techniques, not necessarily the cheapest.
After rapid, almost instant and easy application of molecular diagnostic techniques in the field of Infectious Diseases (Microbiology), these techniques are being applied more frequently in the field of Oncology. Traditionally, Pathologists have classified cancer based solely on morphology (i.e. appearance of cells under the microscope). Molecular diagnostics, borrowing from two new rapidly expanding fields of Genomics and Proteomics, characterizes normal and cancer cells based on activity patterns of genes and/or proteins.
These activity patterns are called Molecular Signatures. These signatures not only improve the pathologist’s ability to diagnose cancer but also improve the clinician’s ability to treat and follow the cancer, which paves the way for personalized medicine.
A molecular pathologist utilizes different molecular techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Fluorescence in situ hybridization, probes, microarrays, antibodies, mass spectrometry, etc. to provide information to the clinician. A molecular pathologist not only develops, interprets the test results, but also advises the clinicians regarding the use of appropriate molecular tests for optimal utilization of resources.
Additional Services
- Cytopathology
- Hematopathology
- Transfusion
- Dermatopathology
- Neuropathology
- Liver
- Head/ Neck
- Oncology
- Pediatric
- Surgical
- Gynepathology
- Soft Tissue
- Breast
- Genitourinary
- Gastro Intestinal