Pathologists are doctors that examine the body and body tissue and also performs lab tests.
The pathologist also helps other doctors reach a diagnoses and are an important member of the treatment team.
A pathologist is a physician in the medical field who studies the causes, nature, and effects of disease.
Pathologists help care for patients every day by providing their doctors with the information needed to ensure appropriate patient care.
On any given day, a pathology doctor may investigate health issues ranging from cancer to blood disorders like anemia.
Pathologists also conduct blood investigations to look for bleeding disorders as well as abnormalities in blood chemistry and cells.
The education and training required in becoming a pathologist will require at least 11 years of education, including four years of college, four years of medical school, and three to four years of residency.
An entry level pathologist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $361,095.
On the other end, a senior level pathologist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $720,535.
Pathologists are often involved in the diagnosis of illness.
A pathologist may examine a sample of tissue for a virus, bacteria, or other infectious agents.
The vast majority of cancer diagnoses are made by, or in conjunction with, a pathologist.
Pathologists may also help guide the course of treatment.
The pathology report provides the definitive cancer diagnosis.
It is also used for staging (describing the extent of cancer within the body, especially whether it has spread) and to help plan treatment.
Clinical pathologists are also physicians who specialize in the field of diagnosis and with the help of laboratory tests, they manage diseases on the basis of the researches.
Pathologists usually do not prescribe medications for their patients but instead, refer their patients to other physicians for evaluation for medication.
Pathologists typically need a bachelor's degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.
Medical schools are highly competitive.