Histology Core Laboratory

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Histopathology (Histology) section of the Laboratory of Pathology (LP) is devoted to supporting the clinical activities of LP, which involves tissue procurement, processing, and distribution of patient reports to inhouse and submitting clinicians. The Histology Lab does not conduct primary research but supports the activities of many investigators. The laboratory processes a large variety of tissue specimens from NIH and non-NIH patients, including a wide variety of malignancies, AIDS-related diagnostic specimens, COVID-related biospecimens, infections, and surveillance biopsies. This consists of accessioning human tissues removed at surgery or in clinics, processing the tissues, preparing and staining slides for microscopy by LP's pathologists, clinical fellows and residents. Pathology residents are trained by LP's Pathologists Assistants (PAs) in techniques of gross dissection and taught to evaluate large and small specimens in preparation for microscopic evaluation during Histology rotations. The Histology lab serves Immunohistochemistry, Surgical Pathology, Hematopathology, Postmortem Pathology and Cytopathology sections as well as the Specialized / Molecular Diagnostics Unit. During the past year, the Histopathology section processed approximately 28756 tissue blocks prepared, microtomy of 226,652 slides and more than 13,500 HandE and special stains. During this period, LP's Pathologists Assistants performed and trained residents in gross analysis and selection of the most diagnostically relevant sections for tissues collected from biopsy and surgical tissues. The laboratory processed over 82,000 consult slides and blocks from over 5,646 cases that were submitted to LP's pathologists for clinical consultation or review for patients being admitted to the NIH Clinical Center or entry on protocol.