[Cooperation between clinicians and pathologists]

The present review demonstrates, how co-operation between clinicians and pathologists may be improved. In the present work the problems of artefacts introduced in biopsy specimens are discussed. The circumstances that can result in artefacts include: errors by the surgeon or assistant in handling the tissue at the time of biopsy, an improper fixation and faulty tissue processing. Different types of artefacts are described and illustrated and clinical and technical suggestions are given to prevent alterations of normal morphologic and cytologic features that can compromise an accurate diagnosis. In order to avoid diagnostic errors also anamnestic details and rare lesions must be known. The fate of patients suffering from carcinoma is influenced by the stage of the tumour at the time of diagnosis. It may be impossible to diagnose the tumor with the first biopsy even though clinical and macroscopic aspects suggest malignancy. In such a case a new representative biopsy is necessary as rapidly as possible to preserve the organ.