Pathology Services
Our team of American Board of Pathology certified, fellowship and subspecialty trained pathologists provide expert diagnostic services to our radiologists, thoracic surgeon, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonologists.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy Service
When a lung nodule is best sampled by a radiologist using CT guided FNA method at Stamford Hospital, there are two Cytopathologists with fellowship training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who work alongside the radiologist at the time of procedure to make sure that there is not only an adequate amount of lung tissue obtained for a diagnosis, but make sure that the tissue obtained from the procedure is handled in the best possible way to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Stamford Hospital is unique in the state of Connecticut as we are the only facility in the state to have MD Anderson Cancer Center trained Cytopathologists who truly have the experience to deliver this service. When an CT guided FNA is performed at Stamford Hospital, a diagnosis can be made in the most accurate and expedient fashion.
Expert Surgical Pathology Evaluation
The Director of Surgical Pathology at Stamford Hospital completed his fellowship in Surgical Pathology at Yale New Haven Medical Center, and subspecializes in pulmonary pathology. Dr. Augusto Podesta works closely with the Stamford Hospital lung cancer team and reviews pulmonary pathology cases at the bi-weekly Multidisciplinary Chest Tumor Conference at Stamford Hospital.
Molecular Pathology Testing
Because of the variety of lung cancers that exist, malignancies detected and diagnosed at Stamford Hospital are evaluated using the most advanced testing possible. Tumor immunophenotyping is performed with state of the art immunohistochemistry platforms and molecular tests for EGFR and Kras are routinely done for prognostic purposes, and to determine if the patient would benefit from a specific type of chemotherapy. Our molecular pathologist, Bo Xu, M.D., Ph.D. is one of a small handful of molecular pathologists in the state of Connecticut, whose expertise in molecular pathology testing assures that with the medical oncologist, the best chemotherapy decisions can be made.
Expert Intraoperative Evaluation
Working closely with the thoracic surgeon, our pathologists provide expert intraoperative evaluation of tissue removed during mediastenoscopy, staging procedures, and during major lung surgery. Our frozen section diagnositic accuracy rate surpasses national standards.
Expert Cytopathology Services
Samples obtained by the pulmonologist (from bronchoscopy procedures) are evaluated by expert cytopathologists. Material obtained from such procedures is maximized for diagnosis. Stamford Hospital is the only institution in the state to implement the Cellient Cell Block technology which enables us to make tissue blocks from cytology samples. This allows us to do the most thorough and accurate analysis on cytology samples (such as lung washings, brushings). This advanced cell block technology also allows us to immunophenotype malignancies that are detected by the pulmonologist during their bronchoscopy procedures.
Expert Hematopathology Evaluation
If the lung lesion is a lymphoma, our Hematopathogist, Raymond Baer, MD, FCAP, is able to diagnose and subclassify lymphomas using our advanced immunophenotyping process and flow cytometry. These are advanced methods available at Stamford Hospital to make sure that a lymphoma is accurately classified. Lymphoma classification determines the chemotherapy regimen used by the Medical Oncologists. Dr. Baer works closely with our expert medical oncologists and presents the monthly Lymphoma Tumor Board at Stamford Hospital, where all pathology and clinical information are reviewed in a multidisciplinary setting to assure that best therapeutic decisions are made for the patient.
Consultation and Review Service
All diagnoses of lung malignancy made elsewhere are reviewed by the Stamford Hospital Department of Pathology to double check the diagnosis, protect the patient, and confirm that an accurate diagnosis has been made. We routinely review cytology and biopsy material from other institutions for our medical oncologists, thoracic surgeon, and radiation oncologists.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).