Pathology is the science of studying the nature and cause of disease to help doctors make informed medical decisions. It touches almost every aspect of modern healthcare, from early detection of illness to monitoring treatment effectiveness.
In fact, over 70% of clinical decisions rely on pathology results, highlighting its central role in patient care.
So, we’ve compiled an easy guide that explains what pathology is. Inside, you’ll learn the major types of pathology, what each is used to detect, and the common pathology tests you may need, along with when and why they are ordered.
Read on to understand how pathology supports modern medical practice and why it plays such a vital role in improving patient outcomes today.
What is Pathology?
Pathology is the branch of medical science that studies the causes, development, and effects of diseases. At its core, it involves examining blood, tissues, cells, and other bodily samples using a range of laboratory techniques, from chemical analysis and microscopy to advanced genetic and molecular testing.
Pathologists and laboratory specialists interpret these results to identify disease, assess severity, and monitor treatment response. Pathology spans routine tests like blood chemistry, biopsy-based cancer diagnosis, and cutting-edge molecular testing for personalised medicine.
In Australia, pathology is delivered through accredited laboratories staffed by highly trained professionals who follow strict national standards to ensure accurate, reliable results for both patients and clinicians.
Why Pathology Matters | Key Facts & Figures
Pathology is a major part of most clinical decisions and is very important for diagnosis, monitoring, and prevention. Pathologists help physicians in making precise diagnoses by comprehending the impact of diseases on cells, tissues, and genetic frameworks. Additionally, they help in making advance medical treatments through ongoing research.
Here are some important numbers that show how important it is to support healthcare:
| Study Area | Key Statistics |
| Frequency of Pathology Testing | 1 in every 5 patient visits |
| Proportion of Encounters with Tests | 18% of all patient encounters (2008-09) Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) |
| Testing Rate per 100 Encounters | 45 tests per 100 encounters |
| Testing Rate per 100 Problems | 29 tests per 100 problems |
| Usage Breakdown in General Practice | 40% for diagnosis
40% for monitoring 20% for prevention |
Pathology makes it possible to find diseases early by finding their markers. This means that diseases can still be treated. This field also supports precision medicine, which is especially important in cancer care, where treatments are based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup.
Pathology Staff | Who Works in Pathology?
Pathology professionals include pathologists, medical and scientific staff, collectors and phlebotomists, and support staff who work together to make and understand lab results.
Here’s a list of the people who work in pathology:
- Pathologists are doctors who have received specialised training and are responsible for interpreting complicated results, signing reports, advising treating clinicians, and leading diagnostic teams. They include areas like anatomical pathology, chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology, and genetic pathology.
- Medical Scientists / Clinical Laboratory Scientists are professionals who have been trained at a university. They run and validate laboratory tests. They keep instruments in good working order, make sure quality control is in place, and provide the numerical and qualitative results that pathologists look at.
- Collectors, phlebotomists, and clinical support staff are trained professionals who collect blood, swabs, and urine samples, label them, and move them to the right place. This is a very important step because mistakes made before the test are a common cause of test inaccuracies. A lot of them get vocational training (VET) or certification from their employer.
- Specialist scientists and subspecialists, such as haematologists (who study blood disorders), microbiologists (who test for infectious diseases), reproductive scientists (who diagnose infertility), and molecular scientists (who study genetics and NGS), do specialised testing and interpretation when necessary.
The professionals work together to make sure that patients get the right diagnoses and treatments. Other medical staff ask pathologists for help in figuring out what kind of illness someone has and how bad it is.
3 Major Branches of Pathology | Types, What They Detect, & When You Need Them
There are many different types of pathology and it can be divided into three main branches or areas of activity, each of which includes a number of subspecialties that are very important for patient care.
1. Anatomical Pathology | Studying Tissues & Cells
Anatomical pathology examines tissue and cell samples to find disease at the cellular or structural level. Pathologists use molecular tools, chemical stains, immunological markers, and microscopy to find problems. This branch is important for figuring out what caused a death, diagnosing cancers, organ problems, and inflammatory diseases.
Key subspecialties and what they detect:
| Subspecialty | What it Examines | Examples / Common Tests |
| Surgical Pathology | Tissue removed during surgery | Tumour biopsies, breast lump excisions |
| Histopathology | Thin tissue slices under microscope | Detecting cellular abnormalities |
| Cytopathology | Individual cells or small samples | Pap smears, lung aspirates |
| Forensic Pathology | Autopsies | Cause of death investigations |
| Neuropathology | Brain and nervous system tissue | Brain tumours, degenerative disorders |
| Dermatopathology | Skin tissue | Skin cancers, inflammatory skin conditions |
| Renal Pathology | Kidney biopsies | Glomerulonephritis, transplant monitoring |
When you need it:
- Suspicious lumps, abnormal imaging, or lesions
- Ongoing organ failure (kidney, liver, etc.)
- Pre- or post-surgical tissue analysis
- For legal or forensic investigations
Our onsite pathology services in Perth use both advanced tissue and cell analysis and molecular testing to give you quick and accurate results for your healthcare needs. All tests are done by certified pathology professionals, which guarantees the highest levels of quality and dependability.
2. Clinical Pathology | Analysing Bodily Fluids
Clinical pathology focuses on testing blood, urine, spinal fluid, and swabs to find diseases, keeping an eye on treatments, and looking for health risks. This is the part of medicine that most people see the most often. It is important for keeping an eye on organ function, finding infections, and treating long-term illnesses.
Key subspecialties and what they detect:
| Subspecialty | What it Examines | Examples / Common Tests |
| Chemical Pathology | Blood, plasma, serum, urine | Kidney/liver function, cholesterol, electrolytes |
| Haematology | Blood disorders | Full Blood Count (FBC), clotting tests, anaemia screening |
| Microbiology | Infectious agents | Blood cultures, throat swabs, urine cultures |
| Immunology | Immune system disorders | Autoimmune disease tests, organ transplant monitoring |
| Toxicology | Drugs, poisons, toxins | Workplace drug screens, poisoning investigations |
| Transfusion Medicine | Blood compatibility | Blood group typing, antibody screening |
When you need it:
- Routine health checks or screening (cholesterol, diabetes, liver/kidney tests)
- New symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or unexplained bruising
- Monitoring ongoing conditions or treatment response
- Pre-operative or occupational health testing
Our onsite clinical pathology makes sure that tests are done quickly, accurately, and with the right credentials. This gives your GP timely results so they can make informed treatment decisions.
3. Molecular Pathology | Genetics & Precision Medicine
Molecular pathology studies DNA, RNA, and proteins to detect genetic and molecular changes. It supports precision medicine, tailoring treatments based on a patient’s genetic profile. This branch is increasingly used in cancer therapy, inherited disorders, and complex infections.
What it Detects:
- Genetic mutations in cancers for targeted therapy
- Hereditary conditions (BRCA, Lynch syndrome)
- Pathogen DNA/RNA (resistant infections)
- Minimal residual disease in blood cancers
Common Tests / Techniques:
- PCR / NAAT for pathogens
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for genetic panels
- RNA sequencing for gene expression
- Liquid biopsy for tumours DNA monitoring
When you need it:
- Confirmed or suspected cancers needing targeted therapy
- Family history of genetic disease
- Complex infections where standard tests are insufficient
- Monitoring treatment response or disease recurrence in cancer
Major Pathology Types: Quick Comparison
| Branch | Sample Type | Detects | Typical Reason for Testing |
| Anatomical | Tissue, biopsies, cells | Cancer, organ/tissue disease, forensic causes | Suspicious lumps, abnormal imaging, organ dysfunction, autopsy |
| Clinical | Blood, urine, swabs, CSF | Blood disorders, metabolic/organ function, infections | Routine checks, new symptoms, chronic disease monitoring |
| Molecular | DNA/RNA from tissue or blood | Genetic mutations, pathogens, cancer profiling | Cancer therapy planning, inherited disorders, complex infections |
Common Pathology Tests at Iluka Medical Centre
We offer a wide range of onsite pathology tests at Iluka Medical Centre to help find, track, and prevent health problems. Knowing the most common tests and why they’re done can help you feel good about your health and treatment plan.
1. Blood Tests
One of the most common types of pathology tests is a blood test. They give you a quick look at your overall health, how well your organs are working, and your risk factors. We offer the following services at Iluka Medical Centre:
- Full Blood Count (FBC): This test counts red and white blood cells, platelets, and haemoglobin to look for anaemia, infection, or blood disorders.
- Cholesterol and Lipid Profile: This test helps figure out how likely you are to get heart disease and keep an eye on treatments that lower cholesterol.
- Diabetes Screening (HbA1c): This test checks how well you control your blood sugar over time and can help diagnose or keep an eye on diabetes.
- Iron Studies: Checks for anaemia or iron overload by looking at iron levels, ferritin, and transferrin.
When you need it: regular health checkups, ongoing fatigue, unexplained bruises, or monitoring a long-term condition.
2. Screening Tests
Screening tests help find diseases early, sometimes even before symptoms show up. This leads to better outcomes and more treatment options. Some common screening tests are:
- Cervical Screening (Pap Test): This test looks for early changes in cervical cells to stop cervical cancer from happening.
- STI Testing: This test looks for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HIV.
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): A simple blood test that looks for genetic problems in a pregnant woman.
When you need it: during regular health checks, when you’re pregnant, or when your doctor tells you to get it for risk-based screening.
3. Respiratory Tests
These tests can find viral and bacterial infections that are affecting the respiratory system.
- COVID-19 Testing: Quick and PCR tests for diagnosis and reporting to public health.
- Tests for influenza and other viruses: These tests help find respiratory viruses so they can be treated early.
When you need it: If you have a cough, fever, or trouble breathing, or if you need it for work or travel.
4. Cardiac Monitoring Tests
Cardiac tests keep track of blood pressure and heart rhythm over time, giving you a lot of information about how to take care of your heart.
- Holter Monitor: ECG that looks for irregular heartbeats.
- 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: This test checks your blood pressure all day and all night to find out if you have high blood pressure.
If you have heart disease risk factors, high blood pressure, palpitations, or dizziness, you should take it.
How Pathology Labs Work?
Pathology staff uses advanced methods like molecular, biochemical, immunological, and microscopic analysis to find diseases. Pathologists work closely with general practitioners, specialists, and surgeons to make sure that diagnoses are correct and treatment plans are made.
This is how the process works:
- Sample Collection: Blood, urine, stool, swabs, or tissue samples are safely taken on site.
- Microscopic & Laboratory Analysis: Samples are looked at under microscopes or tested with chemical, genetic, or molecular methods.
- Interpretation: Pathologists look at the results to figure out what’s going on at the cellular or molecular level.
- Diagnosis: Accurate reports help your doctor figure out what’s wrong and how to treat it.
- Treatment Guidance: Pathology results help doctors decide on treatment, keep an eye on progress, and plan follow-up care.
Conclusion: Pathology Saves Lives
Pathology is the heart of modern medicine. It gives doctors the objective information they need to diagnose, monitor, and treat many different diseases. Pathology is responsible for more than 70% of clinical decisions, from simple blood tests to more advanced genetic and molecular tests.
By detecting illness early, guiding personalised treatment plans, and tracking disease progression, pathology plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, accurate testing and timely diagnosis lead to better care, better decisions, and better health, because early detection truly saves lives.
Searching for ‘Pathology Near Me’? Need Quick and Accurate Diagnostic Testing?
Iluka Medical Centre can help.
We do diagnostic tests on site, like blood tests, screenings, and more, so you can get results quickly. Our skilled staff gives you the best care possible so you can get the answers you need when you need them.
Call us now to book your appointment and enjoy the ease and accuracy of a single visit.
FAQs About Pathology
What does a pathologist do?
Pathologists look at fluids, tissues, and organs from the body to help figure out what is wrong with a person. They look at samples, like biopsies (pieces of tissue taken from the body) or do autopsies (examinations of the body after death) to figure out what caused the death.
What are the most common types of pathology?
Pathology is the scientific study of diseases, and there are many different types of it. Its three major categories include:
- Anatomical Pathology: Looks at the organs and tissues of the body.
- Clinical Pathology: Studies fluids in the body, such as blood and urine.
- Molecular Pathology: Looks at genetic testing and biomarkers.
What types of diseases does pathology cover?
Pathology includes nearly all domains of medicine, particularly cancers, infections, inflammatory disorders, haematological conditions, metabolic and endocrine diseases (such as thyroid dysfunction), and afflictions impacting sterile body cavities (e.g., peritoneal, pleural, cerebrospinal fluid).
What are the pathological signs of a disease?
These are strange physical or mental signs that show a disease. They can be things like swelling or fever that make the body not work properly, or changes in behaviour.
What does pathologic condition mean?
A pathologic condition is any state that is not normal health and hurts the body, affecting how it works as a whole.
How long does it take to get pathology results?
Pathology results time depends on the test. Routine blood tests usually take 24 to 72 hours, while biopsy reports or specialised genetic or molecular tests can take a few days to a few weeks.
How can you find out about pathology costs in Australia?
You can check the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) online for a list of pathology tests covered. Speak with your doctor about any out-of-pocket costs that may not be covered by Medicare.
Is a pathologist a medical professional?
Yes. A pathologist is a doctor who has finished medical school and then gone on to get more training in pathology.