A pathologist is a physician with a medical degree who leads laboratory tests on body tissues and organ samples to determine disease and other diagnoses. These professionals are often key in running laboratories, communicating with primary care physicians, and in the case of medical examiners, determining cause of death.
Research has shown that at least 70% of all medical decisions rely on some sort of laboratory data. Pathologists play an important role in overseeing the processing and analysis of laboratory samples.
There are many types of pathologists, including:
- Anatomic
- Clinical
- Forensic
- Surgical
- Veterinary
What does a Pathologist do?
The two most common types of pathologists are anatomic and clinical pathologists.
- Anatomic Pathologist: These physicians examine the physical structures of tissues that come from biopsies, surgeries, and cells as well as bodily fluids. They use tools and techniques such as microscopes, stains, immunohistochemistry, and more. Pathologists can be trained in subspecialties as well for specific organ systems, such as: neuropathologists, renal pathologists, hematopathologists, and dermatopathologists.
- Clinical Pathologist: Clinical pathologists are physicians who diagnose diseases and other conditions but specialize more in blood- and microbe-related areas such as: chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and molecular biology. These pathologists communicate with primary care providers as well as laboratory teams. They are also often involved in regulatory compliance and medical education and a crucial part of developing new tests through research and development. Clinical pathologists often run or direct laboratories and consult with other medical professionals on test results.
Pathologists play a key role in the diagnosis of disease, and are critical to providing high-quality care, but tend to have limited interaction with patients.
Pathology subspecialties
There are a number of exciting subspecialties for pathologists to consider going into after basic training, including:
- Cytopathology: Studying cells, such as those of a pap smear, to look for cancer.
- Dermatopathology: Studying, diagnosing and monitoring diseases of the skin.
- Forensic pathology: Assessing causes of death.
- Hematopathology: Studying and diagnosing blood cells, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
- Molecular genetic pathology: Studying and diagnosing gene function and structures, as related to genetic disorders.
- Neuropathology: Studying and diagnosing diseases of the neurological and muscular systems.
- Pediatric pathology: Diagnosing conditions that occur to fetuses, infants, and children.
- Surgical pathology: Studying and diagnosing tissues removed by surgeons.
How to become a Pathologist
- Many medical schools expect candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, though not all. It is likely you will need to have the following prerequisites, however:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Organic chemistry
- Physics
- Apply to medical school for an MD or DO degree and take the MCAT—the Medical College Admission Test.
- Once accepted, enroll and complete required coursework.
- Take the national medical board examination, either the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for MD candidates, or the COMLEX exams for a DO degree.
- Complete an accredited pathology residency under supervision in anatomic or clinical pathology (or a combined residency). This typically takes three to four years.
- Take the Anatomic Pathology Examination or the Clinical Pathology Examination to qualify for board certification.
- Seek fellowship training in a subspeciality. While not a requirement, many pathologists-in-training will train in a subspeciality such as cytopathology or forensic pathology.
How much does a Pathologist make?
Pathology can be a lucrative career, though salaries can range depending upon where a pathologist works and additional roles they may take on. The salary range runs from around $176,960 to as high as $385,160 per year.
Annual mean wage for pathologists in different settings vary as follows:
- Physician offices: $265,760
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $291,350
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $184,720
- Scientific research and development centers: $176,960
- Outpatient care centers: $385,160
States with the highest concentration of Pathologist jobs include Rhode Island, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, and Massachusetts.
