Members Tour of Histopathology, 25 th June 2012
Eight Trust members joined a tour of Histopathology led by Andrew Preece, Technical Head of Histopathology. Some members had a medical background, one was a university student of Biochemistry, two were Parish Councillors, and others were patients with an interest in
Histopathology.
The tour commenced in the area of the lab where samples of tissue are received. Two specimens were displayed for identification and the process for storage and preparation was explained. Specimens are processed in a tissue processor overnight and infiltrated in liquid paraffin which sets at room temperature, so that each specimen is ready for the next stage – preparation for the slide.
The technician uses a machine to prepare a thin section of tissue which is carefully placed in water to flatten it prior to setting down on a slide. The slide, with the section on it, is then placed in a machine which stains the section and is then transferred to another device which glues a plastic cover over it. The scientist can now view the tissue using a microscope. At each stage, the origin of the tissue is monitored by more than one member of staff in order to ensure that mistakes are not made. A member asked if the work of preparation and analysis would one day be carried out by machines. However, the nature of the work is complex, tissue samples vary and some outcomes are unprecedented. Protocols for eliminating error and responsibility currently rest on the shoulders of lab staff and machine or computer error would be unacceptable.
Once the sections are stained and quality checked they can be presented to a Consultant
Histopathologist who is responsible for analysing the tissue. Numerous tests can be carried out and multiple sections taken from the same tissue sample can be tested and analysed.
Tissue samples are kept for six weeks so that further tests can be carried out. We viewed slides showing normal cells and others showing cancerous cells. Members asked questions and learned that cancer cells are normal cells which have multiplied out of control and become cancer. Other slides discussed showed lung and skin tissue.
Members found the tour of the pathway of a tissue sample from when it arrives in the laboratory to diagnosis fascinating and thanked Andrew for showing them a day in the life of a scientist in Histopathology.
J. Ward
26.06.2102