Respiratory Pathology

Biopsy interpretation of the airways is a component of most hospital-based pathology practices. These include biopsies of the upper respiratory tract (mouth, trachea) and lower respiratory tract (lung). Lung cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers worldwide and cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing this cancer. Treatment of lung cancer has changed dramatically over the past few years primarily due to the development of immunotherapy medications. The pathologist is a key resource in determining if a particular lung cancer will respond to immunotherapy. The Pathology Group has the expertise and availability of the specialized tests for interpretation in order to determine if certain cancers like lung cancer has the potential to respond to immunotherapy medications.