Pathologist (definition of)

The pathologist specializes in the diagnosis of diseases through the examination and lab analysis of tissue, blood, and bodily fluids. Pathology has two major specialties: anatomic and clinical. The former deals with the diagnoses of disease through the direct visual observation and examination of organs, tissues, and cells using microscopes and molecular analysis, while clinical pathologists, on the other hand, diagnose disease through laboratory analysis of bodily fluids.

Pathologists work with physicians in all specialties in disease diagnosis. In cases of suspected cancer, such as mesothelioma, pathologists examine biopsy samples and issue a diagnoses and pathology report based on their observations. Pathologists are trained to recognize the appearance of both normal and diseased tissue throughout body. S/he can determine if the tissue is benign or malignant and often determine the stage of the disease and its rate of metastasis as well.