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 351 specialists practicing Cytopathology in California with an overall average rating of 3.9 stars. There are 28 hospitals in California with affiliated Cytopathology specialists, including UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus, Stanford Health Care and UC Davis Medical Center.
