A cytopathologist is a physician who specializes in the laboratory analysis of cells from bodily fluids and tissue samples. A cytopathologist uses microscopes and laboratory tests to diagnose a variety of disease and conditions, including conditions related to the female reproductive system, the endocrine system, liver, kidneys, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Cytopathologists consult with other doctors to guide patient care.
Cytopathologists work in a laboratory. Doctors send their patients’ cell samples to a cytopathologist for evaluation. A cytopathologist may not directly interact with the patients. Instead, cytopathologists communicate directly with the patient's doctor—such as a primary care doctor, obstetrician-gynecologist, oncologist, neurologist, nephrologist, hepatologist, or endocrinologist—to diagnose disorders or diseases and help monitor treatment. Cytopathologists may consult with other pathologists when analyzing specimens.
A cytopathologist may also be known simply as a pathologist
There are 3801 specialists practicing Cytopathology in the United States with an overall average rating of 3.8 stars. There are 347 hospitals in the United States with affiliated Cytopathology specialists, including Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital and UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus.
