A clinical pathologist, like a microbiologist, has very different responsibilities from those of a dermatopathologist (skin pathologist) and the road that both those pathologists took to get to their respective positions are entirely different. Below is a break down of the different fields of pathology.

Lumps or bumps from anywhere in the body go through tissue processing (see August update) and are reviewed by your anatomic pathologist using their microscope below…

After residency in Anatomic Pathology, pathologists can continue in subspecialty training (called fellowships in the US).  They can do additional training in all subspecialties (a surgical pathology fellowship) and even more in one specific pathology subspecialty (e.g. gastrointestinal and liver pathology). 

A pathologist will often ask pathologists with different subspecialty training/expertise to review difficult cases.  This practice is standard of care (as is asking for a second opinion), so don’t be afraid if you see two names signing your reports, the more eyes, the better!