February 6, 2025
The Pathology Laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital is making significant strides in cancer care with advanced histopathology services, providing accurate diagnoses and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, recently highlighted the lab’s certification and its standing as one of the most advanced in the Caribbean.
The lab now boasts the capability to perform 14 histochemistry tests, offering detailed and precise diagnoses, particularly for breast cancer.
In addition, it can complete breast cancer biopsies within 3 to 7 days, enabling swift decision-making for treatment.
Dr. Anthony emphasized the importance of identifying the specific type of breast cancer in patients, as it informs the course of treatment.
“This current lab allows us to do those differentiations, and now when somebody is diagnosed with breast cancer, we can actually tell them what type of breast cancer. This also informs the doctors about what treatment would be most appropriate,” he explained.
The laboratory also plays a vital role during surgery, assisting surgeons in determining whether a tissue sample is cancerous.
If the borders of a cancerous tissue are unclear during an operation, surgeons can send a sample to the lab, receiving results within 20 minutes, which helps guide their decisions in real-time.
Additionally, the lab offers telepathology services, enabling pathologists to share digitalized slides with experts around the world, such as their partner, Mount Sinai, for second opinions.
This global collaboration enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnoses.
The modern facility was commissioned by President Irfaan Ali in February 2024, marking a significant milestone in healthcare in Guyana.