 |
DEPARTMENT OF
PATHOLOGY, LABORATORY SERVICES & BLOOD
BANK |
 | |
|
|
| Department of pathology and
laboratory services at DCHRC is equipped with the
most modern facilities to provide diagnostic
services of high quality which is the back bone of
diagnosis and
patient management. |
| Early detection coupled with
effective therapy and rigorous follow up leads to
significant reduction in morbidity and mortality
in cancer patients. The department has state of
the art equipment together with experienced staff
to support the clinicians to achieve the above
goal. |
| The laboratory has facilities
for all hematological, biochemical, serological and
microbiological studies, with state of the art
equipment. The department has a full fledged
histopathology and cytopathology sections, which
are essential for good quality cancer care today.
Facilities for frozen section, cytochemistry,
histochemistry and immuno-histochemistry are used
as and when indicated. |
| There is a self sufficient
transfusion serivces section with a blood cell
seperator for patients needing supportive
therapy. |
| |
|
 INFRASTRUCTURE
|
 | |
|
Diagnostic services include
histopathology, cytopathology, serology,
haematology, biochemistry, microbiology and
clinical pathology. In addition intraoperative
consultation is provided.
The blood bank with component
preparation equipment caters to component / whole
blood / single donor platelets requirements. |
 Haematology : This section has two
fully automated cell counters which give 18
parameters working under strict internal and
external quality control. Interpretation of
peripheral smear and bone marrow aspirates including
Cytochemistry is done. Automated Coagulation tests
are carried out. |
| Biochemistry : Chemiluminescence assays, ELISA, Blood gas
analyzer, Electrolyte analyzer and automated
biochemistry analysers cater to complete biochemical
workup of indoor / intensive care patients. tumor
marker levels in blood are done to aid diagnosis and
follow up. |
|
Blood Bank :
State
of art equipment has facilities of complete donor
screening, blood collection and storage of
blood/component under stringent quality conditions.
A fully automated blood cell separator from
Haemonetics is available for single donor platelet
collections and stem cell harvesting. |
 |
|
Histopathology & Cytopathology :
Form the back-bone of early diagnosis &
follow-up of patients in a cancer hospital. This is
aided by special stains & immunohistochemistry
interpreted by oncopathologists. |
| Cytopathology - comprises of |
| |
a)
Exfoliative Cytopathology – Study of cells
exfoliated in body fluids (sputum, urine,
pleural/peritoneal/pericardial fluid, cervico
vaginal smears). |
| |
b)
Fine
Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) – Study of
cells aspirated from swellings or lumps. Can be
done directly in superficial organs or under
radiological guidance (Ultrasound/CT scan) in
deep organs of abdomen or chest. | |
|
Histopathology :
Services
include comprehensive diagnostic coverage including
in-house prompt biopsy processing in automated
tissue processor. Surgical specimens from other
centers are also processed including opinion on
outside slides / blocks. |
|
Frozen
Section :
Study enables assessment of tumor type / extent on
the intraoperative biopsy to enable the surgeon to
plan/modify surgery while the patient is under
anesthesia. |
|
| PATIENT INFORMATION/FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS |
| |
| What is cytopathology and FNAC
? |
|
Cell is the basic structural unit of the body. Cyto
is cell and logos is study. Evolution of cancer
involves uncontrolled cell division and cytological
changes. |
| Exfoliative cytology
It is
the study of cells normally shed by various tissues.
These can be detected in body fluids including
urine, sputum, pleural, peritoneal & pericardial.
Pap smears have particularly revolutionized early
detection of cancer of cervix in women. These smears
are taken by gynaecologist for cytological
examination. |
|
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) Cells
from swellings or lumps in organs are dislodged and
aspirated through a fine bore needle and examined on
slides. The technique originally used for palpable
lesions is now available for all lesions with
availability of present day radiological guidance
modalities including ultrasound and CT Scans.
The
procedure is minimally invasive and can be carried
out in OPD chamber or on bed side. FNAC thus
provides a rapid diagnosis in a cost effective
manner by a minimally invasive technique. |
| What is Frozen Section
? |
|
After
cytological examination of lesions, situations may
exist where clinician and the pathologist are at
cross roads about the nature of lesion – whether
cancerous on non cancerous. At this juncture frozen
section examination is considered. Patient is taken
up for surgery and open biopsy under aneasthesia. A
small fresh biopsy is sent for rapid diagnosis by
microscopic examination of cryosections in a special
freezing equipment (cryostat). Pathologists’ opinion
is conveyed to the surgeon and extent and type of
surgery is planned accordingly. |
| What is a Tumour
Marker? |
|
Tumor
markers are cell products (proteins, enzymes,
metabolites or receptors) secreted by tumor cells
which can be detected in the blood. Their levels in
blood help in monitoring response to treatment,
assesing tumor burden or detecting residual disease
after therapy. They can also contribute in detection
and diagnosis of certain tumors like prostatic
cancer. Some examples of frequently used tumor
markers are CA –15.3 for breast cancer, CA-125 for
ovarian cancer, PSA for prostatic cancer and CEA in
colorectal cancer. |
|
| CONSULTANTS |
| |
| DR.
Ramesh Dawar |
 |
|
Sr. Consultant and Director Academic |
| MBBS
|
| DABP |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| DR. Sumedha Kotwal |
 |
| Consultant -
Oncopathologist |
| MBBS (Govt. Medical College
Jammu J&K) |
| DCP Hons (AFMC Pune) |
| DNB, MNAMS | |
|
Dr. Sumedha Kotwal has done her post-graduation
in pathology form Armed Forces Medical College,
Pune. Subsequently she has worked in department
of pathology, Govt. Medical College, Jammu and
Govt Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
for 6 years. She was consultant Pathologist at
Medinowa Diagnostics Kolkata. She has several
publications in Indexed International and
National Scientific Journals.
| |
 |
mobile : 9871224139 |
 |
email: sumedhaahal@rediffmail.com |
|
| DR. Sunita Ahlawat |
| |
| Consultant -
Oncohematologist |
| MBBS (MAMC Delhi) |
| MD (AIIMS Delhi) |
|
|
Dr. Sunita Ahlawat is a post graduate in
pathology from AIIMS, Delhi. Subsequently she
has worked in the department of pathology and
hematology in AIIMS for 7 years. She was
subsequently consultant pathologist with the
Ministry of Health, Malaysia. She has several
publications in reputed International and
National Journals.
| |
|
|
mobile : 9811601117 |
|
email: ravi_Ahlawat@hotmail.com |
|
|
|
|
