Anatomical Pathology and Neuroblastoma

Anatomical Pathology

Clinical and Anatomical Patholigies and StudiesMeghan Hillson

What is anatomical pathology?

What is anatomical patholgy?

the branch of medicine that studies and diagnoses disease via samples from organs, urine, blood, feces, tissues, biopsies and ocasionally autopsies as well as determining ptroper treatment and care for patients (i.e. medicines, therapies, life-style changes, etc), both grossly (as a whole) and microscopically*

*This is a summarised definition of clinical and anatomical pathology

Duties

What do anatomical pathologists do?

• Study biopsies, fluids, and tissue samples to diagnose disease
• Diagnose and determine necessary treatments for patients
• Perform surgical resections

• Identify unknown masses or fluids found during surgery
• Identify cause of death and perform autopsies
• perform biopsies

What does a day look like?

What does an anatomical pathologist do in a day?

DAY OVERVIEW

Performing bone marrow and/or aspiration autopsies

Examination and interpretation of slides

Ordering further research including immunostudies and stains

Cover on-call days and be available 24/7 in cases of urgent organ transplants or biopsies

Perform stat evaluations of biopsies to determine further surgical steps

Formulation diagnoses and determining treatment plans

Neuroblastoma

What is a Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that develops in nerve tissue. It usually affects kids under age 5. Symptoms include fatigue, decreased appetite and a lump in the chest, neck or belly. - Cleveland Clinic

Etiology

Neuroblastoma happens when immature nerve tissues (neuroblasts) grow out of control. The cells become abnormal and continue growing and dividing, forming a tumor. A genetic mutation (a change in the neuroblast’s genes) causes the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Healthcare providers aren’t sure what causes the genetic mutation.

Diagnostics

Neuroblastoma is generally diagnosed via bone marrow aspiration, biopsy of the tumor, and blood tests to determine catecholamine levels (common indicators)

Treatments

Radiation Therapy

Surgery

Chemotherapy

This is commonly used for removal of non-metastitized tumors which have not spread

Used when the patient has signifigant symptoms and the tumor cannot be safley removed via surgery

Used to treat advanced neuroblastomas that are unresponsive to chemotherapy and cannot be safley removed via surgery

THANKS!

• https://nyulangone.org/conditions/neuroblastoma-in-children/treatments/radiation-therapy-for-neuroblastoma#:~:text=Radiation%20therapy%20uses%20energy%20beams,cells%20that%20remain%20after%20surgery.

• https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/specialty-profiles/what-it-s-specialize-pathology-shadowing-dr-riddle

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14390-neuroblastoma

• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/neuroblastoma/about/what-is-neuroblastoma.html#:~:text=Neuroblastoma%20is%20a%20cancer%20that,in%20infants%20and%20young%20children.