Her Fight is Our Mission

Hematopathology is the branch of pathology that focuses on the study of blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues to detect and classify diseases of the blood and immune system, including leukemias, lymphomas, anemias, and treatment-related changes in cancer patients.

At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, hematopathology supports the full spectrum of cancer care, from diagnosis and staging to treatment response and side effect monitoring. Our in-house team of hematopathologists works closely with medical oncologists and clinicians to interpret complex blood disorders and ensure timely, personalised treatment.

Specialised Diagnostic Techniques

1. Flow Cytometry: Flow cytometry analyses cells in blood or bone marrow by passing them through a laser beam. It accurately detects the size, shape, and surface proteins of cells, crucial in diagnosing and subclassifying leukemias and lymphomas.
2. FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation): FISH uses fluorescent probes to detect specific genetic abnormalities in cells. It is valuable for identifying chromosomal rearrangements and mutations in leukemia, lymphoma, and certain solid tumours, guiding targeted therapy choices.
3. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): IHC uses labelled antibodies to detect protein expression in tissue samples. It is widely used to subtype cancers (for instance, determining ER, PR, and HER2 status in breast cancer) allowing personalised treatment selection.
4. PCR-Based Tests: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplifies trace amounts of DNA or RNA to detect mutations or residual disease with high sensitivity. It supports early diagnosis, precision therapy, and monitoring of treatment response in blood cancers and select solid tumours.

How It Works

• Blood and/or bone marrow samples are collected and sent to our pathology lab.
• Tests may include complete blood counts, peripheral smear, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, and special stains or flow cytometry (to analyse the physical and chemical characteristics of cells).
• Hematopathologists evaluate these samples to detect abnormalities in cell count, structure, or maturity.
• In suspected cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular studies may be added for accuracy of diagnosis and classification.
• Reports are integrated into the patient’s medical record and discussed in the multidisciplinary tumour board when relevant.

Key Features

• In-house processing of peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue samples for faster results
• Integration with clinical findings, imaging, and molecular diagnostics for complete case understanding
• Advanced diagnostic tools such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, FISH, and PCR-based tests
• Active role in monitoring chemotherapy side effects, cytopenias, and marrow suppression in cancer patients

Benefits

• Identifies early treatment-related complications like anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia (lowered red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts) 
• Guides treatment decisions, such as the need for transfusions, growth factors, or changes in chemotherapy dosage
• Supports diagnosis in patients with unexplained symptoms like fatigue, bleeding, infections, or enlarged lymph nodes
• Enables risk stratification and prognosis in hematological malignancies, influencing long-term care plans

At Apollo Athenaa, hematopathology is a vital part of our personalised cancer care ecosystem. Whether it’s uncovering a hidden blood disorder or monitoring the safety of ongoing treatment, our experts provide clear answers that empower confident, timely decisions.