Best Pennsylvania Clinical Pathologists

Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder. It alters the shape of the red blood cells (RBCs). This decreases their ability to carry oxygen. It can also cause acute episodes of pain. These are called a sickle cell crisis. The body will also destroy the sickle cells. The loss of RBCs results in Anemia.

Moles
Moles are small growths on the skin. They typically appear as light to dark brown spots on the skin that are either flat or raised. Most people have benign moles, which are harmless.

Hairy Cell Leukemia
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare form of cancer. It involves white blood cells called B lymphocytes. White blood cells protect the body from infections and cancers. HCL gets its name from the tiny hair-like projections that protrude from the surface of these cancer cells. Illness results from the accumulation of these cancer cells in the bone marrow and spleen.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's Lymphoma , also referred to as Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps protect the body against infection and disease. It consists of a network of lymph vessels and small structures that are called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body.

Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells and the cells from which they develop. The word cancer refers to diseases in which certain cells in the body become abnormal and grow unchecked. In this case, the abnormal cells are white blood cells and their precursors. Leukemia cells do not function normally and cannot do what normal white blood cells do, such as fight infections. In addition to the abnormal cells in the blood, other, normal elements such as platelets and red cells may be decreased, leading to anemia and clotting problems.

Brain Tumors
A brain tumor occurs when cells grow uncontrollably in the brain. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms; this is called a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors stay in one place, grow to a certain size, and then (as a general rule) stop. Malignant tumors do not stop growing, and pieces of them travel to other parts of the body, where they also continue to grow. Malignant tumors, called cancers, are nearly all fatal if not treated. Currently, with treatment, about half of all cancers are being cured.

Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, also called renal cancer, refers to a malignancy that originates in the kidneys.

The kidneys are organs that filter the blood to remove liquid waste products and produce urine. Humans have two kidneys, a left and a right. The body can function with only one kidney.

Polycystic Kidney Disease
The word polycystic means many cysts. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease that causes many cysts to form in the kidneys.

Cysts, which are sacs filled with fluid, grow in both kidneys causing them to become enlarged. The number of cysts can range from a few to a great number. The size of the cysts can vary from too small to detect, to cysts larger than the kidney itself.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form. However, squamous cell carcinoma is more common in African Americans.

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It is named for basal cells, which lie at the base of the outer layer of skin. This cancer grows slowly and usually does not spread to other tissues in the body. It is rarely fatal. But, it can be locally destructive and requires treatment or removal.