Pathological anatomy and cytology (PAC)

The PAC test is based on the morphological analysis of cells and tissues under the microscope, which is essential for the diagnosis and management of cancers. Another important aspect of this activity is the screening of precancerous lesions based on epidemiological structures.

All medical specialities require PAC, and the Eurofins Biomnis PAC laboratory illustrates this versatility through active collaborations in urology, hepato-gastroenterology, and gynaecology services, as well as other areas such as dermatology, pneumology, oropharyngeal cancers, endocrinology… In the area of tumour pathology, the PAC physicians can sometimes provide a preoperative or extemporaneous diagnosis, and take part in the examination of a file during multidisciplinary meetings. Our laboratory is particularly skilled and recognised for its expertise in gynaecological cytology and hepatic pathology.

The PAC uses various conventional techniques (histology, immunohistochemistry, cytology, corresponding to “morphological pathology”), as well as molecular biology and cytogenetics techniques, which are essential to clarify the diagnosis and/or prognosis of certain cancers. The PAC laboratory works closely with virologists on the genotyping of the HPV virus, and with the Research Unit of the Biology of Haematological Malignancies and Cancers (Unité de Biologie des Hémopathies Malignes et des Cancers) using complementary techniques designed primarily for breast cancers (c-erb-2 status) and gastrointestinal cancers (K-ras), and for the identification of sarcomas (gene rearrangement).

In the area of cytology, the PAC laboratory offers a vast expertise in the liquid-based technique and is equipped with image analyzers for the computed-assisted reading of gynaecological smears.

The physicians of the PAC laboratory are members of various general pathology societies including the International Academy of Pathology, the SFP (Société Française de Pathologie; French Society of Pathology) and the SFCC (Société Française de Cytologie Clinique; French Society of Clinical Cytology), as well as national and international specialized groups including the SFG (Société Française de Gynécologie; French Society of Gynecology), the AFEF (Association Française pour l’Etude du Foie; French Association for the Study of the Liver), EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver ), and AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases). One of our physicians is an expert for COFRAC (Comité français d’accréditation; French accreditation committee).