How is Histology Integrated into a Treatment Plan?
Once the histological analysis is complete, the findings are integrated into the patient's overall treatment plan. This process involves several steps:
Diagnosis: The histological examination confirms the diagnosis, characterizes the disease, and identifies specific markers that can influence treatment choices. Prognosis: Histology can provide prognostic information, such as the grade and stage of tumors, which helps predict the disease's likely course and outcome. Treatment Selection: Based on the histological findings, clinicians can select the most appropriate treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapies. For example, the presence of specific receptors on cancer cells may indicate that the patient will respond well to hormone therapy or targeted drugs.
