Pathologists are physicians who examine tissue biopsies, blood and body fluids, and other specimens to arrive at a diagnosis. Having a definitive and precise diagnosis (and in some cases, information about the stage of a disease) is key in providing treating doctors with the information they need to develop a care plan. In patients who have already been treated for diseases including cancers, follow-up evaluations by pathologists help the care team understand the effectiveness of treatments and can guide changes in treatment.
Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center has one of the largest, most sophisticated pathology services of its kind in the country. Our board-certified pediatric pathologists have further specialization in a variety of cancers, including bone marrow and blood cancers, brain cancers, and other pediatric tumors.
Our pathologists review nearly 600 bone marrows and more than 1,200 cerebrospinal fluids from hematology and oncology patients each year, rapidly and accurately delivering critical diagnostic information.