Clinical pathology and cytology is a branch of pathology that will study and diagnose diseases at a cellular level. Our bodies are made of a variety of cells like blood cells, skin cells, etc. In clinical pathology and cytology a doctor is looking at bodily fluids, like blood and urine, as well as cytological cells. When a lump is found under the skin like in breast cancer a doctor may remove a partial amount of that cyst and give it to the clinical pathology and cytology department. The department is then going to examine the part of the cyst removed to determine if it is benign or malignant.

Clinical pathology and cytology that examines blood or urine will be looking for certain diseases also. Clinical pathology and cytology is used for diagnosis that could lead to surgery or care.