What is histopathology and when is it used?
Histopathology is the preparation (preservation, thin slicing or sectioning, and staining with various dyes) and microscopic examination of samples of tissue. With this type of laboratory examination, the diagnostic accuracy is usually high. The veterinary pathologist can often also add opinion on whether the cancer has been completely removed and what is the most likely future progress of the case (prognosis). This information helps your veterinarian to decide the best treatment for your animal. What is a biopsy? A biopsy is the surgical removal and examination of a sample of tissue from a suspicious lesion. A small amount of the cancer is sometimes removed because removal of the whole tumor is impossible. A biopsy can also be useful before surgery to plan the surgical approach or other treatment, and can increase the chances of a successful outcome. However in many cases, particularly where it is easy to get good surgical margins around the mass, it is more appropriate to take the wh
