GI pathology encompasses diseases of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, intestines and anus) as well as the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts and the pancreas. 

Several TissuPath pathologists are members of TissuPath's GI Pathology Division and have specific expertise in GI pathology, particularly diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Patients with symptoms referable to the GI tract, or those who have a genetic predisposition to GI cancer will usually have their GI tract directly visualized by endoscopy performed by a gastroenterological physician or surgeon. Biopsies of any suspected abnormalities can be then reviewed by TissuPath's GI pathologists. 

Gastrointestinal biopsies are reviewed to look for cancers, and to recognize pre-cancerous conditions such as Barrett's esophagus and colonic polyps. We also look for the unique bacterium, Helicobacter pylori in biopsies from the stomach or duodenum, as this bug is the commonest cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers and can be easily treated and cured.

Colon and rectal cancers ("colorectal cancers") are one of the commonest malignancies in men and women, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition.  Colorectal cancer can often be cured surgically, and effective chemotherapy is available in cases where surgery has failed. 

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City has a web-based nomogram which helps to predict the outcome of your colorectal cancer surgery, if you have the results of your TissuPath pathology report.

TissuPath GI pathologists normally have the results of GI biopsies returned to your doctor the day after the procedure.  Gastrointestinal cancers which have been removed surgically will normally be reported within 2-3 working days.