Overview
This department has an international reputation in cardiac and lung disease. Highly trained and qualified staff handle and process material for diagnosis, teaching and research. We are a national and international referral centre for cardiac and pulmonary pathology, offering a unique service to users and other healthcare Trusts.
Local Clinical Lead
Dr Alexandra Rice, head of histopathology service and consultant thoracic and cardiothoracic transplant pathologist
Tel: 020 7351 8425
Opening hours
Royal Brompton Hospital
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5.30pm
Harefield Hospital
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5.30pm
There is also an out of hours call service.
Information for patients
Surgical reporting service
We specialise in the diagnosis of tumour and interstitial lung diseases, heart and lung transplant rejection, vascular and cardiac disease identification by light microscopy, immunocytochemistry and molecular biology (in collaboration with RBH Clinical Genetics Dept and Royal Marsden Hospital).
Biopsy service
- Bronchial biopsies
- Transbronchial biopsies
- Needle/TRUCUT biopsies
- Endomyocardial biopsies
- Transplant related biopsies.
Same day/on-call biopsy service
Clinically urgent biopsies can be rapid-processed following discussion with a consultant pathologist.
Cytology
The non-gynaecology cytology service offers assessment of sputum, urine, fine-needle aspirates, pleural effusion and lavage specimens for malignant cells, eosinophil counts (asthma), fungi and faecal fat estimation in patients with CF.
Immunocytochemistry
We utilise a wide range of antibodies in the diagnosis of carcinomas, lymphocyte markers, epithelial markers, mesotheliomas, germ cell tumours, sarcomas and neuroendocrine markers. We also provide a number of companion diagnostic tests including ALK, ROS1 and PDL1.
Information for doctors
Research, development and teaching
We investigate the basic pathophysiology of allergy, asthma, CF, paediatric lung disease, infection, bronchiectasis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, heart and lung transplant pathology and lung tumours using many techniques including:
- light microscopy
- immunocytochemistry
- molecular biology
The department runs several courses in lung and cardiac pathology in association with the National Heart and Lung Institute.
Histopathology locations
Royal Brompton: Level 2, Sydney Street wing
Harefield: Pathology block
Contact details
Royal Brompton Hospital
Phone: +44 (0)20 7351 8425
Harefield Hospital
Phone: +44 (0)1895 823 737