Greetings
Pathology Technology Department, together with Department of Diagnostic Pathology, which is composed of pathologists, operates Diagnostic Pathology Center. This department diagnoses cancer, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, and other conditions from patients' tissues, organs, and cells, thereby contributing to their treatment. The tests required for pathological diagnosis are now diverse, ranging from optical to molecular level observations and genetic testing. To improve the accuracy of these tests, we strive to further research immunohistochemistry, a field in which our facility contributed to development and clinical application, and to introduce and ensure the quality of genetic testing, which has rapidly developed in recent years and is used in treatment. We promptly adopt the latest and most advanced technologies to ensure the best possible treatment for our patients. Furthermore, in cytodiagnosis, we constantly strive to improve our diagnostic capabilities, and we are involved in presentations at academic conferences and workshops, as well as providing education to other facilities. By absorbing the latest knowledge and technology and reflecting it in our work, we strive daily to provide accurate diagnoses and the best possible treatment for patients who require pathological diagnosis.
Head of Pathology Technology Department
Tomohisa Machida
Overview
Pathology Technology Department primarily handles tissue specimen preparation (preparation of biopsy and surgical specimens, immunohistochemical staining, genetic testing, and electron microscopy) and cytological examinations, and also performs autopsies.
-
Tissue specimen preparation: We prepare specimens from small tissue samples collected via endoscopy or outpatient procedures, as well as surgically removed organs, to accurately diagnose the type of lesion, whether it is malignant or not, and whether it has been completely removed.
-
Intraoperative rapid diagnosis: This is a pathological diagnosis performed during surgery to determine whether tissue samples taken from the patient are malignant, whether the cancer has been completely removed, and whether there is any metastasis. The submitted tissue is rapidly prepared by freezing, and a diagnosis is made immediately. The results are reported to the surgeon during the operation.
-
Cytological examination: This procedure involves examining cells obtained by scraping or aspirating a lesion, or cells detached from bodily fluids such as urine, under a microscope to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant, estimate the histological type, and check for the presence of infection. The examination is performed by cytotechnologists certified by the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology.
ISO15189 certified
In June 2020, our Diagnostic Pathology Center received accreditation from the third-party organization Japan AcSO15189, a public interest incorporated foundation. ISO 15189 is an international standard created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides specific requirements for the quality and capabilities of clinical laboratories. It consists of two parts: "Quality Management System Requirements" and "Requirements for Technical Capabilities According to the Types of Clinical Testing Undertaken by Clinical Laboratories." This means that the test results of clinical laboratories that have received this certification are recognized worldwide. In addition, our hospital is one of the Cancer Genomic Medical Centers designated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and ISO 15189 is also a requirement for this approval.
Providing advanced and cutting-edge technology
In recent years, medical advancements have been remarkable, and the pace of change has accelerated. We strive to quickly grasp the latest knowledge and techniques effective in pathological diagnosis and incorporate them into our daily work. We constantly update our pathological diagnosis and testing procedures to enable the latest treatment methods, and we also strive to improve our individual skills so that we can apply them to our work. We will continue to work hard every day to contribute to the best possible treatment for our patients by integrating the latest technologies with conventional fundamental techniques.