Welcome to Anatomical Pathology
- Beth Amato - FHS Communications
The Division of Anatomical Pathology within the Wits School of Pathology provides diagnostic services across three academic units. Located across Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Braamfontein Cytopathology Unit, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJAH), the division is also a division of the National Health Laboratory Service. At CMJAH, roughly 45,000-50,000 patients are seen annually; At CHBAH, 14,000 – 16,000 cases are attended to. Braamfontein assesses over 6,500 fine needle aspirate specimens, and over 36,000 gynaecological specimens are diagnosed yearly.
The Anatomical Pathology laboratory has an immunohistochemistry facility, a renal pathology bench, a neuropathology bench, a bone marrow trephine bench, an electron microscopy facility, and an immunofluorescence service. It provides autopsy services for non-medicolegal cases.
A vast and expansive range of research is conducted in the division, focused on the pathology of various cancers, bacterial and viral diseases, gene expression profiles, and signalling pathways of various diseases. The division also validates novel molecular markers for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
The division has a significant teaching commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate students, medical technologists, technicians, and scientists. It conducts an academic programme throughout the year involving presentations by Anatomical Pathology registrars, scientists, and consultant Anatomical Pathologists. Anatomical Pathology’s research activities are underpinned by the MMed, BSc honours program, and an intern medical scientist programme. Members of the department have undertaken PhDs in different fields of speciality.
Division Head: Professor Reubina Wadee
The head of anatomical pathology, Professor Wadee, is a principal consultant, anatomical pathologist, and lecturer jointly appointed by Wits and the National Health Laboratory Services. Her most recent qualifications include a PhD in anatomical pathology.
Professor Wadee is particularly interested in female cancers, researching endometrial carcinoma and ovarian neoplasms, among other cancers. She studies the epidemiology and histological subtypes of these neoplasms, the world's eighth leading cause of death.
Since 2019, Professor Wadee has published 35 papers.
Figure 1: Head of the Division of Anatomical Pathology, Professor Reubina Wadee
Anatomical Pathology’s innovative diagnostic testing aids in cancer and infectious disease treatment
Anatomical pathology is required for definitive diagnoses of patient biopsy specimens and to guide patient management. The Department of Anatomical Pathology has established a vital infrastructure for collecting, storing, and processing quality cancer samples from various clinics and hospitals in the Southern Gauteng region.
While infectious diseases are a critical health concern in South Africa and across Africa, the incidence of cancer has increased. Examining biopsy specimens to render a diagnosis is imperative, thus allowing for patient treatment plans to be initiated.
Figure 2: The Anatomical Pathology laboratory is shown below
Moreover, pathological confirmation of a diagnosis is required for precision treatment and clinical trials. The latter is essential in testing new cancer therapeutics in South African patients.
Moreover, anatomical pathology is crucial during and after treatment to assess how diseases respond to therapies.
Figure 3: The anatomical pathology unit at CMJAH offers histopathological diagnostic services to over 45 000 patients yearly
Figure 4: A histopathology registrar examining patient tissue sections
The diverse work of the Anatomical Pathology department is an enticing place for students and researchers alike.
Figure 5: An automated immunohistochemical stainer which uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue specimens.
Figure 6: Chemicals used for ancillary special tests in anatomical pathology
