Anatomical Pathology provides the following services
- Histopathological examination of surgical specimens
- Frozen sections (intra-operative)
- Immunohistochemistry
- Electron microscopy
- Non gynaecologic cytology
- Foetal, perinatal, paediatric and adult autopsy service
- Teaching and research
The surgical biopsies include a wide range of specimens from various specialised surgical units including breast, gynaecologic oncology, ENT, urology, neurosurgery and various other medical oncology units namely haematology, paediatrics, gastroenterology and respiratory medicine. Anatomical Pathology specialises in renal biopsies which include native and transplant biopsies. Qualified scientists assist the renal physicians during the biopsy procedure to ensure specimen adequacy and quality. Our pathologists facilitate multi-disciplinary meetings with the various clinical units which aids in patient management.
Frozen sections are performed at Clayton, Moorabbin and Dandenong hospitals. A pathologist and a scientist are available during and after hours to cover this service
Anatomical Pathology has a well-established immunohistochemistry unit with a number of antibodies available for testing. Our comprehensive range of antibodies allows us to provide an immunohistochemistry service to other laboratories on request.
Within public pathology in Victoria, in collaboration with Monash University, our department is one of very few to provide an Electron Microscopy (EM) service. In addition to providing for our own patients within Monash Health, we currently provide a service to a number of public and private pathology for diagnostic work and various research units affiliated to Monash Health for research work.
The cytology services cover non-gynaecologic exfoliate and aspiration cytology. Qualified cytology scientists/ registrars / pathologists assist during CT guided / ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures to ensure specimen adequacy and quality. Our staff have particular expertise in specialty areas such as Endoscopic Ultrasound FNA (EUS) and Endobronchial Ultrasound FNA (EBUS).
The mortuary service specialises in peri-natal autopsies, especially from the Foetal Diagnostic Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Monash Health is part of the Victorian Perinatal Autopsy Service (VPAS) which provides a co-ordinated state-wide service ensuring consistent standards of practice and expertise for the clinical investigation of perinatal deaths across Victoria.
The development and co-ordination of undergraduate and post graduate (Anatomical Pathology) teaching across Monash Health is an ongoing activity of the department. In addition, research activities/projects with various clinical units and with laboratories affiliated to Monash University are supported.