Pathology is a relatively young science. Although the foundations were laid in the 19th century, it was only in the 1930s that it began to develop as a clinical discipline in its own right.

The first pathologists dealt with all areas of the subject, but rapid advances quickly meant that pathologists too became specialists. The Royal College of Pathologists was established in 1962 to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College’s advice on a vast range of issues relating to pathology is sought by health departments, government organisations, industry, medical societies and academic institutions.

At the forefront of research
The achievements of modern pathology are impressive. Here are just a few:

• developing vaccines against major infectious diseases such as smallpox, diphtheria, polio, influenza and meningitis; enabling safe blood transfusions - vital for the success of complicated modern operations;
• managing the immune system for successful organ transplants;
• monitoring drug treatment;
• establishing a tissue diagnosis and a prognosis in tumours and inflammatory diseases;
• pinpointing the genetic causes of disease. Every day, these activities, along with countless more routine tests and investigations, underpin doctors’ ability to deal with illness.

The fact that much pathology is done behind the scenes may account for the fact that many people are almost unaware of its vital, ongoing contributions to modern medicine. Without the detective work of pathologists investigating disease there could be no firm answers, and improving or even maintaining the quality of medical care would be impossible. The following pages highlight the crucial work carried out in some of the main areas of modern pathology.