Pathologic anatomy

Direttore: Prof.ssa Caterina Marchiò

Description

IRCCS Candiolo’s Pathologic Anatomy is a highly specialized department that plays a key role in cancer diagnosis. Here, samples of biological materials and tissues are analyzed to confirm or rule out an oncologic diagnosis, and to identify the molecular characteristics of the disease, information that is essential for setting up personalized treatment.

The staff, consisting of medical anatomo-pathologists, biologists, radiologists and laboratory technicians, collaborates closely with surgeons, oncologists, hematologists and radiation oncologists.

The activity is divided into several specialized areas:

  • Histopathology and Cytopathology
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • Cytogenetics
  • Molecular pathology on tissue and liquid biopsy

Microscopic diagnosis: histology and cytology

Histological and cytological diagnostics are the basis of the department’s work:

  • Analysis of tissues and organs harvested by surgery, biopsy, or shearing needle biopsy;
  • Study of cell samples obtained by needle aspiration, effusions, urine, sputum, bronchoaspirate, CSF, etc;
  • Intraoperative diagnostics to provide immediate feedback during surgery.

Diagnostic counseling

The team provides in-depth diagnostic consultations for cancers of particular complexity, concerning:

  • Mammella
  • Skin and soft tissue
  • Head and neck
  • Lung
  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Urogenital system
  • Oncohematologic diseases
  • Specialist cytology

It also deals with the diagnosis of cancers of unknown primitivity (CUP), that is, cancers whose organ of origin is unclear: thanks to specific techniques, it is possible to identify the tissue from which the disease originated.

Study of biomarkers on tissues

The Immunohistochemistry laboratory enables:

  • Identify specific tumor-associated molecular markers;
  • Provide useful insights into prognosis and possible responses to treatments.

Genetic analysis of tumors

The department is also a reference center for Cytogenetics and Molecular Pathology, disciplines that enable:

  • search for chromosomal alterations associated with leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors (using techniques such as FISH);
  • recognize through next-generation sequencing (NGS) genetic mutations and gene fusions with diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive value, which are critical for diagnostic framing and choice of targeted therapy;
  • identify through NGS complex biomarkers such as microsatellite instability (cd MSI), mutational load (cd TMB), homologous recombination deficiency (cd HRD);
  • also identify hereditary genetic syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome, familial polyposis, hereditary breast carcinoma syndrome and ovarian carcinoma syndrome with NGS analysis in collaboration with Medical Genetics;
  • Analyze HPV viral DNA in related diseases (cervix, head-neck, etc.).

Contact

  • We are on the First Floor
  • Office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Tel: 011 993 3472
  • Fax: 011 993 3752
  • Email: segreteria.ap@ircc.it

How to book

Find out all the ways you can access services through the National Health Service, privately and behind health funds and insurance coverage.

Équipe