Second opinions
from experts
Consultative help for
a difficult diagnosis
Mayo Clinic has the most robust laboratory and pathology practice for cancer care in the world. We offer testing that spans diagnostic, theranostic, and prognostic approaches with accompanying specialists for every type and stage of cancer.
Mayo Clinic’s integrated practice of pathologists has expertise and special interests that cover the entirety of pathology—from surgical pathology, to hematopathology, renal pathology, dermatopathology, and infectious disease. The consultative practice strives to bring the client the highest quality of diagnostic pathology, in all areas of expertise, aiming to utilize only those ancillary tests that support the diagnosis in a cost-effective manner, and to provide a rapid turnaround time for diagnostic results.
Our experts are available to consult on any case. The interaction between our physicians and ordering pathologists enable the best diagnosis and treatment approach as our pathologist have the opportunity to ask for additional clinical information, as well as address the questions of the ordering pathologists. A large number of our cases are reviewed by more than one subspecialty pathologist to ensure the best interpretation. This close relationship among Mayo Clinic’s pathologists, clinical laboratorians, and oncologists creates clinical and research collaboration and generates the unique ability to successfully integrate state-of-the-art scientific achievements into clinical practice for patients.
Requesting a pathology consultation
Our best practices enable expeditious, evidence-based results. Click below to learn more about Mayo Clinic Laboratories consultation request process.
Subspecialty Areas
Learn more about how to order these tests at your institution.
Results that matter
We're dedicated to our patients' health and well-being,
and proud of the outstanding outcomes we achieve.
45,000+
pathology consultations completed each year
19
Specialized pathology working groups
100+
Pathologists, each with subspecialty expertise
1349
publications published in 2019 including 347 as first or last author.
Collaboration across colleagues
Consultation cases may be directed to one of the pathologists who is an expert in the given area or directed more broadly to the subspecialty group. Cases are frequently shared and sometimes transferred between the pathologists, as deemed appropriate for the type of case or diagnostic problem encountered.
Guidance for ancillary testing
The consultative practice strives to bring the client the highest quality of diagnostic pathology, in all areas of expertise, aiming to utilize only those ancillary tests that support the diagnosis in a cost-effective manner, and to provide a rapid turnaround time for diagnostic results.
Learn more about our specialized pathology sections
Our Head and Neck pathology section provides a comprehensive menu that includes stand-alone testing (technical-only), testing accompanied by interpretation (special procedure), and case evaluation (pathology consultation). Head and neck pathology consultations often relate to the classification of salivary, sinonasal, and oropharynx tumors.
The Latest
This "Pathways" program provides Anatomic and Clinical Pathology cases that include a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. Cases for September include the following sub-specialties: Genitourinary Pathology, Gynecological Pathology, and Neuropathology.
This "Pathways" program provides an Anatomic Pathology case that includes a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Genitourinary Pathology.
This "Pathways" program provides an Anatomic Pathology case that includes a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Gynecological Pathology.
This "Pathways" program provides an Anatomic Pathology case that includes a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Neuropathology.
This "Pathways" program provides Anatomic and Clinical Pathology cases that include a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. Cases for August include the following sub-specialties: Genitourinary Pathology, Laboratory Genetics and Genomics, Liver Pathology, and Neuropathology.